Singapore's haze contingency plans: What parents need to know about school closures, home-based learning and exams

As haze conditions worsen in Singapore, many parents are wondering whether schools could close and what that might mean for national examinations that students have spent months preparing for.

Speaking at a haze press conference on Friday (Oct 16), Minister for Education Desmond Lee outlined how schools, preschools and national examinations will be managed if conditions deteriorate further.

These concerns include whether learning and examinations can continue, and how families will manage if schools have to close.

"These are serious considerations. We must look after the well-being of our children, especially younger ones who are more vulnerable," the education minister said.

What happens if schools close? Will exams continue? AsiaOne breaks down what parents need to know.

Where can parents get official updates?

Parents and students should refer only to updates from the Ministry of Education's (MOE) official channels and Parents Gateway — a one-stop mobile app developed by MOE and GovTech to connect schools and parents on key administrative matters. It is also used for announcements.

MOE has also warned of false claims about school closures circulating on social media, which have caused confusion and anxiety.

Meanwhile, information about any changes in the scheduling of O- and A-Level examinations will be posted on the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board's website .

Will O- and A-Level exams continue during the haze?

Students who are taking the O- and A-Level examinations will sit for their papers in enclosed air-conditioned venues with air purifiers.

Those who are unwell and unable to take or continue with an exam, should see a doctor to obtain a medical certificate, and apply for special consideration through their schools.

Schools will be able to guide their students on the necessary procedures.

If the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) forecast reaches the hazardous range (301 and above), MOE will consider rescheduling O-Level papers in line with health advisories for younger students.

A-Level students are generally less likely to be affected as they are older and their exams are likely to continue.

However, MOE and SEAB will take reference from actual conditions before making a decision.

Should national examinations be rescheduled, details on the earliest practicable dates will be publicly announced by SEAB on its website .

Schools will also inform students and parents directly of such rescheduling.

Will schools close if the haze gets worse?

If the 24-hour PSI forecast for the next day is in the hazardous range (PSI >300), MOE, the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will strongly encourage parents and guardians to keep their infants and young children at home.

MOE will consider closing schools and transitioning to home-based learning for younger students from preschool to secondary levels.

What if I cannot stay home with my child?

As some parents may not be able to work from home or find alternative care for their children, MOE Kindergartens and Kindergarten Care, as well as ECDA-licensed preschools will remain physically open.

Indoor activities such as reading and hands-on activities may be conducted during the opening hours, while appropriate haze mitigation measures, such as the use of air purifiers in enclosed rooms, will be put in place.

Primary and secondary schools, student care centres and special student care centres will also remain physically open to support students who do not have alternative care arrangements.

Junior Colleges, including the equivalent sections of Integrated Programme schools, Millennia Institute, ITE, polytechnics, autonomous universities and University of the Arts Singapore will generally continue in-person lessons, while taking reference from actual circumstances.

This is because such students are generally older.

What happens at different PSI, PM2.5 levels?

School leaders will take into account the 24-hour PSI forecast, hourly PM2.5 and health advisories in managing school-based learning and activities.

Adjustments to measures will be made where needed, bearing in mind the health and well-being of students.

The National Environment Agency's 24-hour PSI forecast is used as a reference to determine whether preschools and schools should continue operating the next day, and the associated measures to adopt.

PM2.5 in the elevated range (56-150)

When PM2.5 hourly readings are in the elevated band, schools will avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activities. Indoor non-strenuous activities such as light physical exercises may continue.

Those with pre-existing heart or lung conditions, or who are unwell, will be excused from the activities.

Air purifiers will be deployed in indoor spaces such as classrooms, laboratories, school halls and indoor sports halls.

PM2.5 in the high range (151-250)

When PM2.5 enters the high-band, students will remain in enclosed indoor spaces with air purifiers. They will avoid both outdoor activities and strenuous indoor activities, and have their meals indoors. Schools will operate as per normal school hours.

Outdoor activities will be replaced by indoor activities where possible. Such activities will be cancelled or postponed, if alternative indoor arrangements are not possible.

PM2.5 in the very high range (251 and above)

Once PM2.5 enters the very high-band during school hours, schools will scale down lessons, such as by reducing the intensity of indoor activities, and suspend all physical and after-school activities.

随着新加坡雾霾情况恶化，许多家长都在担心学校是否会停课，以及这对学生们准备了数月的全国性考试会意味着什么。

教育部长李智陞在周五（10月16日）举行的雾霾新闻发布会上概述了如果情况进一步恶化，学校、幼儿园和国家考试将如何进行管理。

这些担忧包括学习和考试能否继续进行，以及如果学校不得不关闭，家庭将如何应对。

“这些都是需要认真考虑的问题。我们必须照顾好孩子们的福祉，尤其是那些更脆弱的幼童，”教育部长说。

学校停课会怎样？考试还会继续吗？AsiaOne 为您解读家长们需要了解的信息。

家长可以在哪里获取官方最新消息？

家长和学生应仅参考教育部官方渠道和家长门户网站（由教育部和政府科技局联合开发的一站式移动应用程序，旨在连接学校和家长，发布重要行政事务，并用于发布公告）上的信息。

教育部也警告称，社交媒体上流传着有关学校停课的虚假消息，这些消息造成了混乱和焦虑。

同时，有关 O 水准和 A 水准考试时间安排的任何变更信息，都将在新加坡考试与评估局的网站上公布。

雾霾期间，O水准和A水准考试会继续进行吗？

参加 O-Level 和 A-Level 考试的学生将在配备空气净化器的封闭式空调考场参加考试。

身体不适而无法参加或继续参加考试的学生，应去看医生并获得医疗证明，并通过学校申请特殊照顾。

学校将能够指导学生完成必要的程序。

如果 24 小时污染物标准指数 (PSI) 预测达到危险范围（301 及以上），教育部将考虑根据对低年级学生的健康建议重新安排 O 水准考试。

A-Level 学生通常受影响较小，因为他们年龄较大，而且他们的考试很可能会继续进行。

但是，教育部和东南亚教育局在做出决定前会参考实际情况。

如果全国性考试需要重新安排，新加坡考试与评鉴局（SEAB）将在其网站上公布最早可行的考试日期。

学校也会直接通知学生和家长此类课程改期情况。

如果雾霾加剧，学校会停课吗？

如果第二天的 24 小时 PSI 预报处于危险范围（PSI > 300），教育部、社会及家庭发展部和幼儿培育署将强烈建议家长和监护人让婴幼儿待在家中。

教育部将考虑关闭学校，让从学前班到中学阶段的低年级学生转为居家学习。

如果我不能待在家里照顾孩子怎么办？

由于有些家长可能无法在家工作或找到其他方式照顾孩子，教育部幼儿园和幼儿园托管班以及幼儿培育署授权的学前班将继续保持实体开放。

在开放时间内，可以进行阅读和动手实践等室内活动，同时将采取适当的雾霾缓解措施，例如在封闭的房间内使用空气净化器。

小学和中学、学生托管中心和特殊学生托管中心也将继续开放，为没有其他照护安排的学生提供支持。

初级学院（包括综合课程学校的相应部分）、千禧学院、工艺教育学院、理工学院、自治大学和新加坡艺术大学一般将继续进行面授课程，同时参考实际情况。

这是因为这类学生通常年龄较大。

在不同的PSI值和PM2.5浓度下会发生什么？

学校领导在管理校内学习和活动时，会考虑 24 小时 PSI 预报、每小时 PM2.5 和健康建议。

必要时将对措施进行调整，同时兼顾学生的健康和福祉。

国家环境局的 24 小时 PSI 预测被用作参考，以确定幼儿园和学校第二天是否应该继续运营，以及采取相关措施。

PM2.5浓度处于较高范围（56-150）

当PM2.5小时读数处于较高水平时，学校将避免长时间或剧烈的户外体育活动。室内非剧烈活动，例如轻度体育锻炼，可以继续进行。

患有心脏或肺部疾病或身体不适者，将被允许不参加活动。

空气净化器将部署在教室、实验室、学校礼堂和室内体育馆等室内场所。

PM2.5浓度处于较高范围（151-250）

当PM2.5浓度达到高值时，学生将留在配备空气净化器的室内场所。他们将避免户外活动和剧烈的室内活动，并在室内用餐。学校将按正常上课时间运行。

户外活动将尽可能以室内活动替代。如果无法安排其他室内活动，则此类活动将被取消或延期。

PM2.5浓度处于极高范围（251及以上）

一旦 PM2.5 在上学期间进入非常高的浓度范围，学校将缩减课程规模，例如降低室内活动的强度，并暂停所有体育活动和课后活动。