LEADING THE WAY, SINGAPORE STYLE – SISB TAPS SINGAPORE METHODS TO BECOME ROLE MODEL IN COVID-19 FIGHT

Students from SISB (Pracha Uthit campus) who had direct and indirect contact with a positive case of COVID-19 have completed their 14-day quarantine, and none has tested positive for COVID-19 or displayed any symptoms.

Throughout these uncertain times, the management of SISB, which includes several Singaporeans, has been steadfast and resolute in its handling of the unprecedented crisis, using a distinctively Singapore style.

“Besides the proven education curriculum, there are other values closely associated with Singapore that are very effective in crisis management, such as decisiveness, transparency and foresight,” said Mr. Kelvin Koh, Chairman of the School Governing Boards.

An example of these values has been the speed of which SISB has been able to act when faced with the dynamic developments of the COVID-19 situation.

On March 11th, 2020, SISB (Pracha Uthit) was informed that some of its students had contact with a positive case of COVID-19. In less than three hours, arrangements were made for parents to collect their children from school, and to announce that the campus would be closed for extensive cleaning. Reports were made to the authorities immediately and health officials were at the school promptly to provide guidance.

Plans to bring in the best equipment to disinfect the campus were put into action immediately, including the use of UV-C (Ultraviolet light in the Cspectrum) technology to eradicate pathogens and thoroughly disinfect. In a matter of days, every room and every corner of the campus had been meticulously disinfected.

On the same day of the school closure, SISB implemented Home-Based Learning - online learning packages for students to continue learning from home. The speed of this implementation can be attributed to SISB’s ongoing efforts in utilising technology, such as high-speed Wi-Fi, educational applications, and the Google Suite of applications, which also played a key role in the effectiveness of SISB’s contact-tracing efforts.

And, amidst the constantly evolving crisis, SISB has kept its parents, students and staff informed of every decision made and every directive received with transparent and regular communication, without withholding any facts or information.

Ms. Devi Du, who has three children studying in SISB (Pracha Uthit) (Kindergarten 1, Primary 1, and Grade 9), said: “The school management reacts very quickly on every aspect and keeps me updated on what is happening. I feel very assured with the Singapore way of handling this crisis and I know my children will be safe.”