Twenty-one cities and counties will extend distance education for at least one more week, to June 2 or beyond. That''s every administrative district in Taiwan besides New Taipei.
The extension applies to all students at the high-school level and below.
Many parents and teachers have reacted with dismay. Some fear that distance learning will affect student performance on final exams. Others say schools should simply start summer vacation early. Officials say a one-week extension is less disruptive than the alternative, which is bringing students back to classrooms, only to send them home again due to a COVID outbreak.