Students Learn Good Eye Care and Digital Habits in Schools

We thank Mr Zhang Guocheng for highlighting the need to promote good eye care habits, especially among our young ("Eye massage should be promoted, Aug 8").

In schools, students learn about the importance of good eye care and a balanced lifestyle through Physical Education as well as Character and Citizenship Education lessons. Besides learning about the importance of balancing their online and offline activities, students are also encouraged to spend at least two hours per day outdoors, and to limit the time spent on electronic devices or work that involve extensive reading.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has also partnered the Health Promotion Board, which runs the National Myopia Prevention Programme. The programme aims to delay the onset of myopia and reduce its progression among students in several ways. This includes annual vision screening, talks in schools to educate students about myopia, webinars for parents to inculcate good eye-care habits, and collaborations with schools on myopia prevention programmes.

We will continue to work closely with parents as well, who play a crucial role in guiding and monitoring their children's online activities at home. MOE provides resources such as articles and tips to support parents on better management of their children's online habits. We encourage parents to bring their children to see an optometrist or optician if they notice signs of possible visual problems, such as blurred vision when looking at distant objects or holding a book too close to the eyes when reading.

Mrs Eugenia Lim
Divisional Director, Student Development Curriculum Division 2
Ministry of Education

学生在校有学习良好护眼习惯

谨答复《联合早报·交流站》于8月8日刊登的张国城读者投函《应推广眼部按摩》：

我们感谢张先生指出有必要提倡良好的护眼习惯，特别是在年轻人当中。

在学校，学生通过体育课以及品格与公民教育（Character and Citizenship Education）课程，了解良好的眼部保健和平衡的生活方式的重要性。除了学习平衡线上和线下活动的重要性外，学校也鼓励学生每天至少在户外活动两个小时，并限制花在电子设备或涉及大量阅读的课业时间。

教育部也与推行全国近视预防计划（National Myopia Prevention Programme）的保健促进局合作。这项计划旨在通过多种方式，推迟学生近视的发病时间，并减缓近视度数的加深。这包括每年的视力检查，在学校举办讲座，教育学生了解近视问题，为家长举办网络研讨会，以灌输良好的护眼习惯，以及与学校合作开展近视预防计划。

我们会继续与家长密切合作，他们在指导和监督孩子在家的在线活动方面，发挥着至关重要的作用。教育部提供文章和贴士等资源，帮助家长更好地管理孩子的上网习惯。若发现孩子可能有视力问题，如看远处物体时视力模糊，或阅读时把书拿得太近，我们建议家长带孩子去看验光师或配镜师。

陈允晶
教育部学生发展课程司(第二司)统筹司长