Beijing's middle schools, primary schools and kindergartens will
close as of Thursday for a period of two weeks for the May Day
holidays, according to a circular issued by the local education
authorities.
The decision has been made to safeguard the health of 1.7 million
students amid mounting efforts to stem the spread of the severe
acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
virus, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission said in the
circular.
Mid-term examinations in those schools will be postponed, said the
commission.
Boarding schools with no SARS cases may continue classes but must
not receive visitors from outside. Students leaving school due to
illness should undergo more than 10 days of quarantine before
returning to school.
Teachers and other school employees should remain in their posts to
monitor students' health and to guide students in their studies via
the telephone and the Internet. Schools should report any suspected
SARS case on a daily basis to the education authorities.
As
for students whose parents ask them to stay in school, the schools
are responsible for their studies and their lives, said the
commission.
Entrance examinations for junior high schools and senior high
schools will be postponed pending further notice.
(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2003)