For parents in China, a main preoccupation these days is the eternal wondering as to when schools may finally reopen their doors to children as the country recovers from the coronavirus outbreak, that and what might their policies be regarding continued epidemic prevention.
Once again, however, related developments reveal more questions than answers.
The first of the concerns is relatively easy to answer. Schools will open only when the authorities deem it absolutely safe to do so. However, there are signs that it may yet be quite some time until this happens.
Rumours are abounding that schools may remain shut until the end of April. Some substantiation to these is a recent move by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission to centralise its online learning offering around the Bilibili platform. Originally known as a source of manga and the like from Japan, the YouTube-like site in recent years morphed to the extent that Bilibili study broadcasts totalled 1.46 million hours in 2018.
Yet, other reports are emerging even now that point to high schools reopening later this month, with primary schools told to stay home.
Such gossip aside, we can only but wait and see.
As to that which happens when the schools do reopen, there remains the very real possibility that all persons therein be required to wear masks. Such a prospect is neither desirable nor particularly conducive to learning, but arguably better than the present online solutions.
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Going somewhat towards addressing these concerns is the recently released notice by the State Council detailing 25 requirements for schools to implement in their resumption of education provision. The points, which cover well-trodden ground, are summarised at the end of this article.
In light of these developments, The Nanjinger spoke with the heads of both The British School of Nanjing (BSN) and Nanjing International School (NIS). Reproduced below are our questions’ responses from both Matthew Shephard (MS), Principal at BSN; and Laurie McLellan (LM), School Director at NIS.
1. In the event that future regulations state that children must wear masks at school, would you consider them better off continuing the online learning at home? If your answer if yes, please skip to question 5.
MS: The safety of our students is always going to be a priority. We are still assessing the feasibility of wearing masks during lessons, but if it became a mandatory measure of protection, we would follow that guidance. Online learning is effective, and our students are doing some excellent work with this new model of teaching, but we are looking forward to being able to work face-to-face with our students so they can more easily collaborate, co-operate and socialise with others in a way that is harder online.
LM: No, at NIS we believe that interaction between classmates and teachers is the basis of the best learning. We see online learning as a facet of learning, but not a replacement for on campus learning.
2. Given the degree of breathlessness when wearing a mask, how would PE lessons be approached? Swimming might be difficult!
LM: At NIS we will have a phased approach to the introduction of PE. The situation would need to have advanced somewhat for us to continue our regular swimming classes for PE. The place where PE would work best would be in the open air so the arrival of Spring will give us the opportunity to revisit our schedule for the students.
MS: Although there is no evidence of increased risk of the virus associated with pools, for a short time we plan to suspend swimming lessons and modify our PE lessons when we are back on campus. We will, for example, allow students to come to school in PE kit so that they do not need to change in crowded changing rooms. But keeping active is one of the ways of ensuring you have a strong immune system, so we don’t want to stop this important part of school life – our PE staff are all experienced teachers who have been running online fitness sessions and encouraging students to be active whilst the campus is closed – they know they will need to adapt lessons to take account of children wearing masks if they need to do so.
3. Please comment on the fact that it may be difficult for students to maintain concentration while wearing a mask.
MS: I am sure when students return to the campus, it will be hard for them to maintain concentration, surrounded by friends they’ve not seen for some time, anyway! But our students are bright and hard-working and our class sizes small – experienced teachers will ensure lessons are active and learning is engaging, whether students are wearing a mask or not. If all are in masks, It might even encourage more “learning by doing”, rather than by talking about it – a much more enjoyable mode of learning!
LM: At NIS we think that the response to wearing a mask will differ amongst age groups, whether the student is used to wearing a mask and the type of learner s/he is. There is no one way that students respond to anything in an inclusive school as they are all individuals.
4. Young children need to see the shape of the mouth as it forms letter sounds and words. How will this be achieved if the teacher is wearing a mask?
LM: This is just one aspect of learning. I don’t really see this as a problem. The greater challenge will be for the youngest learners to use masks consistently. Teachers are going to have to use their creative skills to make the whole experience enjoyable for children. I am looking forward to when we brainstorm ideas about how to approach this at NIS.
MS: There is truth in this as research shows we gather 25 percent of their comprehension from visual cues, such as reading lips, gestures and facial expressions; however, teachers can make great use of technology, for example to show a video of the movement of lips in slow motion forming certain sounds, and they will find great ways to support our learners.
5. It is being suggested that for work places with communal canteens, employees stagger their lunch breaks and diners sit far apart from each other. Will your school attempt the same and if so, how?
MS: We have already put plans into place to ensure students are safe at lunch. We have removed self-service items, like the salad bar, so that all food is served directly to each student, and put plans into place for the temporary use of disposable cutlery and plates (although we will also be encouraging students to bring their own cutlery to reduce waste). We have also temporarily expanded the space occupied by our dining area and ensured students sit spaced apart as they would in work places. We are confident that there will be time for all students to eat, staggered as they are now, without changing the timings.
LM: At NIS we are developing a plan around eating. We are fortunate to have lots of space and different places where students and adults can eat safely. We are looking forward to seeing the precise advice from the authorities. We will be flexible with our schedule to allow for changes to eating.
6. What plans do you have for any possible student ostracising based on their country of origin?
LM: We are a very diverse community. As the COVID-19 has spread we know that our Korean, Japanese and Italian students have had a different experience than students in other countries. These are experiences that bring people together, not split them apart. At NIS we don’t usually have these types of problems as an inclusive and diverse community, so I don’t see this as a major concern.
MS: We have a clear anti-bullying policy at BSN and a student body with a very global outlook. But it has been sad to see what has happened in other parts of the world as the virus has been associated with certain places or groups of people. Our PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) programwill tackle this and our staff will be reminded to look out for any evidence of this happening and work together to address it. I know from assemblies that our student council have run, our students feel strongly about the importance of fairness and the need to denounce discrimination – I am confident they will be the ones leading by example in this case too.
7. Any further comments or plans your school may have in particular.
MS: Whilst we are delighted with the online work that has been going on, we have plans in place to make up some campus contact time with our students – particularly those in examination grades and in Early Years where online learning is not so easy. The plans are specific to each age group but we have already put additional days in our calendar and are looking at further adding to this to ensure the best results for students.
LM: Our focus will be on welcoming all our students and staff back to their school community. At NIS we will not have parents (or adults who do not work at the school) on campus when we restart. At the point when it feels secure to allow parents back on campus we want to work on a strong sense of community spirit; after all, we faced the same challenge.
Summary of the 25 Key Points Issued by the State Council as to the Reopening of Schools
Before any school reopens, it should submit daily reports to supervising authorities as to the health of students, teachers and staff; provide staff training on prevention and control systems, personal protection, disinfection, etc.; and ensure that all teachers, staff and students have conducted a 14-day self-quarantine in the local vicinity before returning on campus.
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As for the school itself, the entire facility, including all classrooms, should be ventilated and thoroughly disinfected. An adequate supply of epidemic prevention and control materials should be on hand, including hand soap, hand sanitiser, masks and gloves, while clear emergency plans for epidemic prevention and control, including training and drills, should be drawn up. Finally, a temporary isolation area for any person who shows signs of a fever or other Covid-19 related symptoms should be established.
After a school reopens, it should continue to monitor and report the health of staff and students on a daily basis, store and clearly label disinfectants, undertake frequent ventilation and routinely disinfect surfaces and common objects, including but not limited to, classrooms, dormitories, libraries, cafeterias, dining equipment, tableware, bathroom fixtures and hand-washing facilities, while ensuring rubbish is appropriately sorted and disposed of promptly.
It is advised that teachers wear masks when teaching, while all staff, students and parents should promote personal, hygiene and protection. Large group activities are not to be held.
In the case of a staff member developing a fever, or displaying symptoms of Covid-19, they should inform their superiors and report to a designated hospital.
In the case of a student developing a fever, or displaying symptoms of Covid-19, they should alert the school that will then take appropriate measures.
Both of the above instances should be immediately reported to the District Disease Prevention and Control Department.
