Hanoi students joy at returning to school after three-month COVID-19 break

As many as 700,000 Hanoi students from secondary, high school and continuing education levels returned to school with joy on Monday morning (May 4), after a three-month break to avoid COVID-19 transmission.

At Viet Duc High School (Hoan Kiem District), over 700 12th grade students started their first school day on Monday morning, after an over three-month closure to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
At Viet Duc High School (Hoan Kiem District), over 700 12th grade students started their first school day on Monday morning, after an over three-month closure to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

>>> Tens of millions of students back to school after long COVID-19 break

From 6:30 am, teachers and security guards have been on duty at school gates, providing instructions on how to perform social distancing at schools and measuring the body temperature of students.

Happy to meet classmates again after the long break.

According to the Viet Duc High School Administration, to ensure social distancing regulations are followed, students in grade 12 will have morning classes every week day, while students in grades 10 and 11 will take turns in the afternoon session. During weekends or holidays, students will study online under their teachers’ guidance.

In addition, classes will be arranged using different timetables to ensure that there are not too many students gathering when going to and leaving school.

Daily health monitoring books distributed to each classroom so that schools can manage the health of students during school time.

Hand washing areas are arranged with adequate soap and regular hygiene. Students are required to wash their hands thoroughly before entering classes.

Before starting class, teachers spend time guiding students on measures to prevent and control COVID-19, as well as regulations on practicing social distancing at schools.

Hand sanitiser is also provided to each classroom.

To ensure safety, schools hosted online meetings with parents' representatives to disseminate plans to welcome back students to school.

During the first week, teachers focus on reviewing and consolidating knowledge from previous online learning sessions during the break for students. After two weeks, schools will organise tests to assess students’ academic performance and improve teaching methods.

This morning, teaching and learning at Viet Duc High School was back to normal.

Students practice social distancing during a military lesson in the school yard.

Excitement during the first day back at school.

Photo: NDO/Thuy Nguyen