Updates to Suspension of Classes at Kumon Learning Centres

We are into the critical period of our fight against Covid-19 in Singapore. Last week, we saw a spike in cases of infection mainly in the dormitories housing foreign workers. The average number of new cases of infection in the local community has also reduced slightly.

The Government has announced that the ‘Circuit Breaker Measures’ will be extended to 1st June. Nonetheless, we are hopeful that some form of normalcy in our daily lives will return in time to come. Until then, we will continue to adhere to the mitigating measures introduced.

The Kumon Method was conceived more than 60 years ago from the perspective of educating children at home in the best manner. With time and patience, Kumon students become accustomed to a home learning routine that is second nature to them.

Learning for Kumon students has always focused on building a self-learning ability through our carefully structured worksheets. The unprecedented situation presented by the virus outbreak has brought about not only challenges, but also many positive effects we see in Kumon Instructors, students and parents.

Many parents shared that they are able to better support their children and give more specific feedback to the Kumon Instructors. With more time at home, students are also able to complete more worksheets. Kumon Instructors have stepped up their communication with parents and students to a higher level. Instruction of students is enabled through usage of technology. This way of blended learning has resulted in students achieving faster progress towards their study goals. It is a good example of a crisis turned into opportunity.

Amidst the uncertainties, it is our responsibility to keep you updated on our plans moving forward.

Clarification on 4 additional classes

We have announced previously that students who are enrolled in April will be entitled to 4 additional classes in May and/or June. We wish to clarify that these classes are not replacement for the physical classes. They are goodwill classes extended to students. Parents can arrange for the additional classes to be held within 2 months of lifting of suspension of classes at centres.

Classes in May

The possibility of extension of class suspension in May had been considered. We are encouraged by the positive learning effects observed in our students with the blended approach towards learning throughout this period. Parents and Kumon students are seeing the benefits of it.

However, we are also aware that there are parents who are facing challenges in managing schools’ home-based learning for their children, the necessity to work from home, as well as Kumon. We seek the understanding of affected parents to contact your child’s Kumon Instructor and work out the necessary arrangements, including the possibility of suspending classes for your child in May. We will waive the need to give a one-month notice if necessary. For minimal disruption to their Kumon study, affected students should work closely with their Kumon instructors to resume learning with Kumon in June. Fees for worksheets given to affected students until 4th May will be waived as a form of goodwill.

For the majority of parents who are seeing the benefits of home learning with Kumon, we appreciate your kind support and patience in keeping our Kumon Centres running. We will continue to improve the delivery of our service and support your child’s learning with us.

Should suspension of classes be lifted in June, classes for your child will be held as per scheduled prior to suspension.

Meanwhile, we encourage parents to visit and follow our official Facebook page at http://facebook.com/KumonSingaporeOfficial. In it, you will find useful information and updates from Kumon. As the world’s largest supplemental education to support home learning, we are confident that our proven learning methodology and carefully structured worksheets will provide the best possible learning effects in your child beyond the boundaries of the classroom.

Thank you for your trust in Kumon. Together, we can overcome this challenge. Stay safe.

新加坡正处于与新冠状病毒作战的关键时期。上周，客工宿舍的感染病例激增，社区感染的病例则略有下降。政府已宣布延长阻断措施(Circuit Breaker Measures)至6月1号。我们期盼能尽早回复到熟悉的生活的同时，也坚定地遵循当局的停课命令与阻断措施。在这期间，我们的公文导师将继续给予远程指导，协助您的孩子在家中有效学习。

具有逾60年历史的公文式学习法 (The Kumon Method)，便是秉着为孩子提供有效的家庭学习而创立的。我们相信，只要成人能给予孩子足够的耐心和时间，任何孩子都能自然而然地投入于家中学习的。一直以来，我们着重于让孩子通过精心设计的教材自我发掘学习的窍门，提升自学能力。这次的疫情所造成了前所未见的艰巨挑战，却也在导师、学生及家长身上看到了许多积极的努力。

许多家长发现自己比以前更懂得如何支持孩子的家中学习，并明白如何具体地向导师反馈学习的状况。孩子在家的时间变多了，所完成的教材也多了。此外，导师与家长和学生的沟通也提升了。这种结合沟通，指导和科技的结合学习模式，使学生更快速地取得进步，达成学习目标。这可谓是化危机为转机。

阻断措施将延长至6月1日，所以我们做了一些安排，敬告各位：

事项一：澄清额外四堂课之用意

我们之前宣布，为4月份在籍的学生在5月和/或6月，提供额外四堂课。特此澄清，这四堂课并非补课，而是对受影响的家庭聊表心意。家长可在中心复课后的两个月内，与导师安排上课时间。

事项二：5月份的公文学习

许多家长和学生都意识到，结合学习模式产生了积极学习的效果。由于停课令被延长，中心无法在5月复课，我们希望你们继续这种模式在家中学习。

然而，我们也发现有一部分家长为学校所安排的居家学习、自身在家办公的需求，以及公文导师所布置的家庭作业而疲于奔命。我们恳请您与所属的公文中心导师多加沟通，为孩子做出理想的安排。这也包括了在5月份暂时休课的选项。在一般的情况下，家长若要暂时休课，需要提前一个月通知导师。为了体恤家长的难处，对在5月份有暂时休课要求的家长，我们将免除这项要求。重要的是，请与导师携手合作，扫除孩子在学习上的障碍，帮助他们能够在6月份顺利复课。我们将不会对在5月份休课却已经收到直至5月4日的教材的学生收费。

至于大多数坚持不中断孩子学习的家长，我们由衷感谢您给予导师们的支持。您的体谅也让我们的工作可以持续进行。我们将会努力不懈地改进服务，提升孩子的学习成果。倘若停课令在6月如期结束，中心将在6月份复课，您的孩子可依据原本的上课时间，回到中心学习。

在这期间，我们鼓励家长关注我们的官方脸书 (Facebook) 网页。在这里头，我们提供了各种有用的资料和最新的资讯。公文作为全球最大的学习能力开发机构和家庭学习的先驱，我们相信能为您的孩子提供最佳的家庭学习效果。

感谢您对公文的信任。有您的支持，我们一定能克服这次疫情所带来的种种挑战的。祝您和家人平安，健康。