Hong Kong primary school urges government to rethink vaccination requirements for resuming full-day classes
- The principal of the Yau Tong school has stressed the need for a return to normalcy among young pupils affected by the pandemic
- With vaccines only available to children aged 12 and up, schools like hers will be unable to reach the threshold for resuming full-day classes
Administrators at the Fukien Secondary School Affiliated School in Yau Tong said this week that there was a need to address students’ mental health issues, arguing that reduced interactions in school amid pandemic-related class suspensions had affected pupils’ ability to control their feelings.
The school’s principal, Eva Hsu Au Yee-Wah, pointed to the stable pandemic situation, and questioned whether a high vaccination rate was really necessary for primary school students to return to full-day classes.
“We hope more schools can return to normalcy, which is also many parents’ wish,” she said.
Most Hong Kong schools have been holding half-day classes in recent months, with full-day sessions banned from September unless at least 70 per cent of students and teachers are vaccinated.
However, only children aged 12 and up can be vaccinated under the government’s rules, leaving most primary schools unable to return to full-day sessions in the new academic year.
