Help for working parents as Singapore schools move to home-based learning

In a bid to control the spread of COVID-19 in schools, the Singapore government has mandated all schools, including primary and secondary schools, junior colleges, as well as those from Millennia Institute and special education schools, to implement full HBL until May 28 when the school term ends. 

Nevertheless, “schools will remain open for students who require additional support. In particular, parents working in essential services or are unable to secure alternative care arrangements may approach their children’s primary schools for assistance”, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has said in a statement.  

Education Minister Chan Chun Sing has said pre-schools and student-care centres will remain open to support families who require their services, but he encouraged working parents to keep their children at home where possible, if they are able to do so. 

As part of tightened measures that will be implemented from May 16 to June 13, the government has made work from home (WFH) the default mode, including for working parents, and employers must ensure their staff who are able to work from home do so. 

Even so, companies can help working parents by providing more flexible working arrangements, both for those who need to be in their workplaces in-person, or those who are working remotely.

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Employers can also show more empathy to the individual needs of each employee, and encourage employees working remotely to communicate on a regular basis when they need any assistance.

Tech support should also be provided to ensure optimised workflows, while boosting childcare benefits during this period can help to boost employee morale.