Despite the fact that schools across Mainland China have started opening their doors, some as early as Mar 13, there’s seemingly no end in sight for Beijing’s youth, who are itching to get off e-learning and into the classroom.
Yesterday, Beijing’s Education Commission stated that the time still isn’t right to announce a plan for a return to schools in the Capital, however, they did concede that “The Municipal Education Commission has an overall plan for the start of school,” adding, “There are detailed plans for starting school in batches, grades, and phases.”
So while it seems that a plan has been worked out, various factors still preclude an official announcement. For instance, given that the impacts of COVID-19 are continuing to ripple across Beijing, both in terms of imported cases and asymptomatic transmissions, it’s still too early to guarantee the safety of children and staff in a school setting. Additionally, it will take some time for school personnel to sanitize their facilities and come up with preventative measures that ensure the school remains virus free
Aside from that, the Commission did offer some insights regarding a tentative timetable and making up for lost class time.
According to Li Yi, Deputy Secretary of Beijing’s Education Commission, with the exception of students in graduating classes, so those in 9th and 12th grade, there is no intention to carry the school year into summer, or require kids to attend school on Saturdays and Sundays.
Moreover, Li reiterated the fact that schools will be opened gradually, by grade, and that preschools will likely be the last to open, due to higher standards of virus protection. Additionally, parents should talk directly to schools regarding refund policies.
As for extracurricular learning facilities, the ministry also indicated that after-school and private part-time education organizations shall remain closed until further notice.
Photos: Feliphe Schiarolli via Unsplash
