School summer break starts Jul 13

July 10, 2020

Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung:
In view of the exponential growth of confirmed COVID-19 local cases over the past two days and the Government's announcement on further tightening social distancing measures with effect from tomorrow, as well as parent concerns as reflected by school principals, the Education Bureau, after thorough consideration and consultation with experts, has decided that all secondary schools, primary schools and kindergartens could advance the beginning of their summer holiday to next Monday. 

Those with important examinations to be held next week could have a special arrangement as follows: primary schools could continue with their scheduled examinations in the following week - which means Primary 5 students - if they choose to. On the other hand, they could also choose to defer the examination to September, and the deadline for submission of the P5 Internal Assessment will be extended to October 20. 

Examinations for Secondary 3 to 5 students could continue on next week, in view of the need to prepare for the selection of subjects for Secondary 3 students and for the preparation of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination for Secondary 4 and 5 students. 

The Pre-Secondary One Hong Kong Attainment Test will continue on July 14. As this is not a compulsory test, schools which choose not to take the test should notify the Education Bureau before noon on July 13.

In light of the recent COVID-19 situation, Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung today announced that all secondary schools, primary schools and kindergartens could advance the beginning of their summer holiday to Monday.

Mr Yeung told reporters that the decision was made after thorough consideration and consultation with experts.

“In view of the exponential growth of confirmed COVID-19 local cases over the past two days and the Government's announcement on further tightening social distancing measures with effect from tomorrow, as well as parent concerns as reflected by school principals, the Education Bureau, after thorough consideration and consultation with experts, has decided that all secondary schools, primary schools and kindergartens could advance the beginning of their summer holiday to next Monday.”

He noted that special arrangements would be made for students with important examinations scheduled for next week.

“Primary schools could continue with their scheduled examinations in the following week - which means Primary 5 students - if they choose to. On the other hand, they could also choose to defer the examination to September, and the deadline for submission of the P5 Internal Assessment will be extended to October 20.

“Examinations for Secondary 3 to 5 students could continue on next week, in view of the need to prepare for the selection of subjects for Secondary 3 students and for the preparation of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination for Secondary 4 and 5 students.

“The Pre-Secondary One Hong Kong Attainment Test will continue on July 14. As this is not a compulsory test, schools which choose not to take the test should notify the Education Bureau before noon on July 13.”

The education chief urged schools to take the necessary precautionary measures, including temperature checks, mask-wearing, asking students to wash their hands and to keep a distance between them during the examinations.

Mr Yeung acknowledged that teachers may not be ready for the advancement of the summer holiday and suggested they arrange for students to come back to school in batches to settle any outstanding matters.

School premises should remain open until the original summer holiday start date to take care of students in need, he added.