As the new school year begins online this week, some have argued that students should no longer be denied face-to-face learning at school (“ Open Hong Kong schools, for the children’s sake ”, August 26) and the Education Bureau has taken the initiative to allow students to return to campuses from September 23 . Virtual classes are definitely not an ideal substitute, as they not only slow the learning progress but, more importantly, negatively affect children’s mental health. Since classes were suspended as a Covid-19 precaution, e-learning has been adopted at almost every level of the education system, from very young learners in kindergarten to adults at evening classes. A new mode of learning and teaching has emerged in local education – real-time online lessons through video communication software. This mode of learning requires additional discipline. As young learners are easily distracted, family support is indispensable if children are to get the full benefit of real-time online learning. This is indeed a big obstacle for learners whose parents or caregivers are unable to provide necessary assistance during online lessons. Also, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to conduct collaborative activities in an online environment, but that does not necessarily mean that students cannot learn from each other in such a setting. No one knows when the pandemic will end. We should hope for the best, but all stakeholders in the education sector should also prepare for the worst, planning ahead for the best strategies to continue quality learning and teaching for both virtual and physical classrooms. Given the limitations of real-time online learning for students with special needs and with different learning styles, steps must be taken so they are able to maintain at least minimum standards in their learning activities in the new school year if they cannot immediately return to class. Andy Seto, Shau Kei Wan Why are cinemas prioritised over schools? It was the French prime minister Pierre Mendès-France who observed that “to govern is to choose”. So what does it say about a government that chooses to open cinemas ahead of schools? You report that face-to-face teaching will resume on September 23 for some age groups, with the rest only going back at the end of the month. Teachers are doing a brilliant job in difficult circumstances, but no one who has witnessed it in action thinks that online learning is a substitute for being in a classroom, which some of Hong Kong’s youngest children have now not done since January. This is beginning to really harm their development. Everyone understands the difficult issues involved, and experience elsewhere in the world shows that there is nothing easy about getting pupils back in schools – but it also shows that it is possible, as long as there is the will to do so. Philip Cowley, Stanley Not yet safe to go back to school Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, face-to-face lessons for Hong Kong’s 900,000 kindergarten, primary and secondary school pupils were suspended for four months before resuming in phases from late May. However, with a renewed outbreak recently, officials asked schools to conduct online lessons until further notice. Now, pupils in the final two years of primary or secondary school, new starters at those levels and final-year kindergarten pupils will be the first to return to campus on a half-day basis later this month. A week later, Form Two to Four and Primary Two to Four pupils, and younger kindergarteners will follow. I do not agree with these decisions by the education officials. As we were until Sunday still seeing double-digit Covid-19 cases reported daily, it can be assumed that community transmission will not stop in the short term. The government has also just relaxed the social distancing restrictions for some establishments, with entertainment venues resuming operations. This may ramp up the spread of the virus in the society. Resuming school this month may be risky for students. Coronavirus fourth wave could be in store for Hong Kong, expert warns When classes resume, students will gather in public places, such as the transport hubs, restaurants and elsewhere around school, raising the possibility of virus transmission. Also, if infected but asymptomatic students were to attend class during the incubation period, their classmates or others on their commute could be affected. To protect students, and avoid a community outbreak again, face-to-face classes should resume only after spread of the virus is completely contained. Mani Lau, Tiu Keng Leng
