Approach to School-Based Assessment for students diagnosed with COVID-19 through home Antigen Rapid Tests (ART)

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Dr Tan Wu Meng, Jurong GRC

Question

To ask the Minister for Education (a) what is the approach taken by schools regarding students diagnosed with COVID-19 through home Antigen Rapid Tests (ART) prior to a school weighted assessment or school examination; and (b) whether there has been a policy to require such ART-positive students to produce a doctor's medical certificate in order to have a valid reason for being absent from the weighted assessment or school examination.

Response

1. ART-positive students who are well or with mild symptoms are to adhere to Ministry of Health's Protocol 2 and self-isolate at home. After 72 hours, such students may exit self-isolation and resume normal activities with an ART-negative result. Otherwise, vaccinated students or students below 12 years old may automatically exit self-isolation after day 7. Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated students aged 12 and above may automatically exit self-isolation after day 14.

2. Such students would not be required to produce a medical certificate to cover their absence, even if they have a weighted assessment or school examination. However, schools may request to have sight of the photo evidence of the ART-positive test result.