School’s out when red or black rainstorm warnings are sent before 8am, Hong Kong Education Bureau says
New arrangement with Observatory means news on suspended classes will be issued at same time as weather alerts
School will be suspended all day if red or black rainstorm warnings are issued before 8am, but classes should continue if warnings are issued after 8am, the Education Bureau announced on Thursday.
The suspension will be made public simultaneously with a red or black rainstorm warning signal.
The new arrangement was worked out between the bureau and the Observatory after heavy public criticism of the last suspension – announced when many students were already on their way to school – during a red rainstorm warning in May.
But school principals were still doubtful about the new system, pointing out that most students would have arrived at or be on their way to school between 7.45am and 8am.
Education sector lawmaker Ip Kin-yuen also slammed the bureau for not consulting students, parents and schools first.
Under the new system, which covers all half-day and whole-day kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools, if the storm warning is issued when students are already on their way to school, they should decide whether to continue or head back based on how heavy the rain is, as well as road and traffic conditions at that time.