e-Bulletin for Parents - 31 May 2024

Students and parents should pay attention to the change in weather

During the rain and tropical cyclone season, Hong Kong may occasionally be affected by tropical cyclones. These tropical cyclones may bring both strong winds and heavy rainfalls to the region.

Students and parents are reminded that in the event of tropical cyclones and heavy persistent rain, the Education Bureau (EDB) will announce the class suspension arrangements for that day based on the latest weather information and the conditions of roads, slopes, and traffic. The announcements will be made through the following channels:
• Radio and televisions
• Government press releases (https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/today.htm)
• EDB Website (https://www.edb.gov.hk/)
• EDB Hotline (Telephone: 2891 0088)
• Mobile application “GovHK Notifications” (download link: https://www.gov.hk/en/theme/govhknotifications/)

Students and parents please refer to the EDB circulars to familiarise themselves with different schooling arrangements in the event of tropical cyclones and heavy persistent rain. (Arrangements for kindergartens and day schools: https://applications.edb.gov.hk/circular/upload/EDBC/EDBC22005E.pdf; Arrangements for evening schools: https://applications.edb.gov.hk/circular/upload/EDBC/EDBC22006E.pdf)

Meanwhile, when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal is in force, if the HKO assesses that Hong Kong is or will be under the combined effect of strong wind and prolonged rainstorm, and disseminates to the public the information “The combined effect of strong wind and prolonged rainstorm is affecting/expected to affect Hong Kong”, the EDB will refer to the framework of class suspension and types of school affected based on the red or black rainstorm warning to make relevant announcements for safety reasons. In general, if the above information is disseminated during the following periods, it means that student need not attend schools:
• At or after 5:30 am and before 8:00 am: AM and Whole-day Schools
• At or after 10:30 am and before 1:00 pm: PM Schools
• At or after 5:00 pm and before 7:00 pm: Evening Schools

If the above information is disseminated during school hours, schools should continue lessons until the end of normal school hours and ought to ensure that conditions are safe before allowing students to return home. Parents do not need to pick up their children from school immediately. For more information on the combined effect, please refer to the HKO’s online educational resources (https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/education/tropical-cyclone/weather-effects-and-impact/00674-Beware-of-Multi-Hazard-Combined-Effect.html).

As the situations in localised areas may differ from the territory as a whole, parents can exercise their discretion in deciding whether or not to send their children to school if the local weather, roads, slopes or traffic conditions are adverse. Schools will be flexible in handling the affected students who arrive late or are absent from school at parents’ discretion on the day, and such students will not be penalised.

Weather conditions can change rapidly, so it is important for students and parents to pay close attention to the latest weather conditions provided by the HKO and check if the EDB has announced class suspension before leaving for school and during their journey to ensure safety.