School Holiday Remains on 10 Aug Even When NDP is Postponed

I’ve got some good news for our fellow schoolgoers: 10 August is still a school holiday, even with the postponed National Day Parade (NDP). 

That’s right, the scheduled school holiday on 10 Aug (one day after National Day) remains blissfully untouched, as confirmed by the Ministry of Education (MOE) on 28 July. 

But if you’re pushing your luck and wondering if the Monday after the postponed NDP will also be a school holiday, I’m afraid I’m going to have to burst your bubble right there. 

According to MOE, the Monday after the postponed NDP, 23 August, will not be a school holiday.

NDP will be Postponed to 21 Aug

The postponed NDP will take place on 21 August instead of 9 August this year. 

This is in light of Singapore tightening measures as part of phase two (heightened alert), which ends on 18 August. 

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that the National Day Rally will be held one week later on 29 August. 

On 9 August, a small ceremonial parade will take place at the Marina Bay floating platform to celebrate National Day, similar to the one held last year at the Padang. 

In addition, the heartland fireworks and Red Lions displays that were supposed to be held on 7 and 8 August will be cancelled. The NDP rehearsal that had been set for 24 July and the preview on 31 July were postponed.

Instead, according to Mindef, rehearsals will now be carried out in smaller component groups. Rehearsal dates will not be announced to prevent crowds from gathering at Marina Bay. 

Previously, large crowds had gathered to watch NDP rehearsals at Marina Bay during the weekend. 

The 1,200 participants in the parade will be divided into smaller groups during both rehearsals and performances. 

Participants and spectators at this year’s NDP are required to be fully vaccinated. 

In addition, performers have to go for antigen rapid testing before every rehearsal. Meanwhile, spectators have to undergo pre-event testing before they are allowed to attend the event. 

When Finance Minister and co-chairman of the multi-ministry task force on Covid-19 Lawrence Wong was asked by reporters whether or not NDP will continue in light of the rise in community infections, he said that National Day was “not just any other occasion”, and that NDP will take place as planned.

And as for working adults? Let’s just say that if you want to sleep in on 23 August, you’d probably have to apply leave. Watch this video to the end to know more about work leave in Singapore:

Read Also:

• 10 National Day 2021 Promotions That Kiasu S’poreans Shouldn’t Miss
• Everything About the Postponement of NDP 2021 Whereby Fireworks Will be Cancelled

Featured Image: huntergol hp / Shutterstock.com