RAFFLES Institution swung into action after a student who returned from Melbourne on Tuesday was diagnosed with the Influenza A(H1N1)virus.
According to Mr Daniel Lim, a spokesman for the school, the 17-year-old female JC 1 student attended a biology remedial class on Friday, and was in the presence of 13 other students and the teacher. She visited the doctor after the lesson when she felt unwell and was diagnosed with the virus on the same day.
The school put the 13 students and the teacher under home quarantine. It also disinfected the affected classroom and its surrounding areas on Saturday.
The student is at the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She is said to be recovering and doing well.
The school has also introduced other measures to manage the situation. Mr Lim said that an SMS was sent out on Monday to all students and staff advising those returning from affected countries (as listed on the Ministry of Education website) to stay home for seven days on their return.
He added that teachers have been advised to suspend 'non-important' activities such as some sports training and co-curricular activities. However, as one student, who declined to be named, pointed out, certain key activities have not stopped.'Myfriend was in school for judo training today,' she said. The Schools' National judo tournament is still going on.
Entry to both the Secondary School and Junior College is now allowed only through one gate. Students and staff who enter the school are required to show their identification passes. Students who have been to affected areas have to regularly take their temperatures.
'Previously there were at least three gates on Bishan Street 21 that we could use. Right now, there's only one.
'Once school reopens however, it will definitely be more difficult because there are some gates that are very 'essential',' said the same student.
Some,on the other hand, feel that the inconvenience is a small price to pay to keep the virus contained. JC2 student Loretta Wong,18, said: 'I feel it's okay because it's a necessary precaution the school has to take. Anyway, I usually go by the main entrance when my mum drives me to school. I think the precaution is more necessary than the convenience.'
When asked whether there are plans to extend the June school holidays, the school said it was awaiting directives from the MOE. However, preparations are being made for a possible extension, by a week.
Said another student,who did not want to be named: 'We'll be delighted if the school holidays are extended because we all have common tests that begin on the first day of school.
