Coronavirus: Singapore shifts primary schools to online learning; fatigued Philippine nurses battle resignations

The education ministry said Primary 1 to 5 students will move to home-based learning from September 27 to October 6

The Philippines is enduring a record rise in infections, forcing nurses to work long hours for little pay on often precarious short-term contracts

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The pandemic has exacerbated a pre-existing lack of nurses in the Philippines. Photo: AFP

Published: 12:19pm, 18 Sep 2021Updated: 11:47pm, 18 Sep 2021

Singapore’s primary schools will shift to home-based learning for 10 days ahead of a key national examination, the education ministry said on Saturday, as the city state reported 935 new Covid-19 cases the previous day, the highest since April last year.

Primary 1 to 5 students will move to home-based learning from September 27 to October 6.

Primary 6 students will go on a study break for a few days from September 25 before sitting for the national examination to minimise risk of school-based transmissions and reduce the number of students placed in quarantine.

“With the PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination) written paper examinations approaching, we will undertake further measures to protect students who are not yet medically eligible for vaccination and give parents and students greater peace of mind,” said Education Minister Chan Chun Sing.

A recent rise in cases after the relaxation of some Covid-19 measures has prompted Singapore to pause on further reopening. More than 80 per cent of its population has been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Singapore is looking at vaccinating children under 12 years in early 2022.