Coronavirus: Hong Kong government allows face-to-face teaching in international schools despite citywide suspension of classes

Some students at international schools have been asked to return to campus for tutorials, a move approved by Education Bureau

Teachers’ union warns of dangers of creating a loophole amid the outbreak

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The Canadian International School in Aberdeen is one of several in Hong Kong asking some teachers and students to return to campus despite the temporary shutdown of on-site learning in the city. Photo: SCMP

Published: 2:22pm, 15 Feb 2020Updated: 11:50pm, 15 Feb 2020

Hong Kong’s education authorities have allowed teachers at international schools to meet with students on campus to help them with coursework despite the citywide closure of schools until at least March 16 to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the Post has learned.

Sources have revealed that some international schools running the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum had asked students to return for tutorials or assessments. The Education Bureau said it had approved the practice.

The move has triggered a warning from a teachers’ union about creating a loophole that could increase the risk of infection.

The government announced on Thursday that all classes at Hong Kong kindergartens, primary and secondary schools had been suspended for a further two weeks until March 16 because of the coronavirus outbreak, which has infected 56 people across the city.

Schools were also advised to cancel group and extracurricular activities on campus as an anti-contagion measure.

An email from Jane Camblin, head of school at the 1,800-pupil Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS) in Aberdeen, told staff that from March 2 they would be “required to be present daily on campus … ready to teach Grade 12 in person”.

A source said about 100 of CDNIS’ Grade 12 students due to take the IB exam this year were asked to attend face-to-face coursework sessions from March 2.