Regarding the Reopening of Municipal Schools (as of 5/25/2020)

The decision was made to close municipal schools until May 31, 2020, and we have instituted staggered and voluntary school attendance during which no classes are held beginning May 18. However, as of May 22, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) announced the COVID-19 Hygiene Manual —Guide for a New Style of School Life— (henceforth known as Hygiene Manual) which introduces measures such as spacing students at least one meter apart in classrooms for Infection Level 1 regions (under which Hiroshima Prefecture is now classified).

Taking this into consideration, on the same date, the Hiroshima Prefectural Board of Education (BoE) decided to reopen prefectural schools on June 1 and notified all municipal school boards to consider measures based on those of the prefectural BoE.

Based on the MEXT Hygiene Manual, the notification from the prefectural BoE, and the infection rate of our city, the City of Hiroshima has decided to resume all educational activities, including classes based on traditional class composition, as of June 1 as listed below.

However, should Hiroshima Prefecture become Infection Level 2, or should municipal student/teacher infections be confirmed, we will change to the appropriate measures such as staggered attendance, temporary closures of schools with confirmed infections, etc, upon discussion with related organizations, such as the Hiroshima City health departments and the Hiroshima Prefecture Board of Education.

Resumption of School Educational Activities

Giving full consideration to the frequency of attendance for different types of schools during the staggered voluntary attendance period, educational activities, including classes based on traditional class composition, shall resume on Monday, June 1, 2020 upon establishing a preparation period to adjust to traditional school life as necessary.

Eligible Schools

Kindergartens (19), elementary schools (141), junior high schools (63), high schools (8), the Hiroshima Municipal Secondary School (1), the special needs school (1).

Stages of Educational Activity Resumption

Elementary/Junior High Schools

June 1 (Mon) – June 5 (Fri)

• As the designated preparation period to adjust to traditional school life, classes will only be held in the mornings and school lunch service will not be provided.
• For afternoons at special needs schools, special exemptions will continue for parents/guardians who cannot take time off from work to allow their children to stay at school.

June 8 (Mon) onwards

• Classes will be held in the morning and afternoon with school lunch service provided.
• Note regarding school lunches: from June 8 (Mon) to June 12 (Fri), school lunches will be simplified (main dish (rice/bread), one side dish, and a dessert, all individually packaged), with regular menu service returning from June 15 (Mon) onwards.

High Schools/ Hiroshima Municipal Secondary School

June 1 (Mon) onwards

• Classes will be held in the morning and afternoon (just as prefectural high schools)
• Schools will be allowed to change starting hours depending on their situation (public transportation usage, etc)

Special Needs School

June 1 (Mon) – June 12 (Fri)

• As the designated preparation period to adjust to traditional school life, the school will be divided into two groups which will stagger attendance once every two days (from May 18-May 31, once per week). Classes will be held in the morning and afternoon in accordance with school bus pick-up/drop-off times, and school lunch service will not be provided.
• Special exemptions will continue for parents/guardians who cannot take time off from work to allow their children to stay at school.

June 15 (Mon) onwards

• School lunch service will resume and classes will be held in the morning and afternoon for the entirety of the school (plans in place to increase school bus services to avoid crowding).

Kindergartens

June 1 (Mon) – June 5 (Fri)

• Services will be offered in the mornings only.
• Special exemptions will continue for parents/guardians who cannot take time off from work to allow their children to stay at the kindergarten.

June 8 (Mon) onwards

• Services will be offered in the morning and afternoon (bento lunch to be provided by parents/guardians).

Attendance

Absences due to cold-like symptoms such as fever, or when the parent/guardian deems it necessary for their child to be absent to prevent the spread of infection, shall not be counted as an official absence.

Club Activities

Based on the MEXT Hygiene Manual and taking into full consideration factors such as the risk of infection and physical toll, club activities will gradually resume beginning June 8 (Mon) under the supervision of club instructors. Children will need permission from their parent/guardian to participate.

Infection Prevention Measures

Based on the MEXT Hygiene Manual, we shall strictly implement basic infection prevention measures and measures which strictly avoid the 3Cs (which carry a high risk of infection).

Summer and Winter Vacation

In order to secure time for classes which could not be held due to school closings, the dates of summer and winter vacations shall be changed to the following. Please note that if this still does not provide sufficient time for missed classes to be made up, we shall review school events and find ways to secure enough time.

Elementary/junior high/high schools, the Hiroshima Municipal Secondary School, the special needs school

Note: it is possible to change vacation periods as long as it does not increase days off based on the circumstances of each school

Kindergartens