Almost 150,000 students in Ho Chi Minh City return to school

Nearly 150,000 9th and 12th graders in Ho Chi Minh City returned to school on December 13 after a long time of learning online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students at Ly Phong Secondary School, District 5 receive body temperature measurement and disinfect their hands. (Photo: NDO)
Students at Ly Phong Secondary School, District 5 receive body temperature measurement and disinfect their hands. (Photo: NDO)

Students of such grades who test positive for COVID-19, live in high-risk areas and are not staying in the city at the moment, will continue to study online in accordance with guidelines of the health sector.

Ho Chi Minh City is home to 205 high schools, of which 176 would welcome 12th graders back, equivalent to 88 percent.

As many as 224 secondary schools in the southern hub, 74 percent of the total of 286, would open to 9th graders.

Le Duy Tan, Head of the Secondary Education Division under Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Education and Training, said schools must thoroughly study recommendations, guidelines and regulations of the education sector to build suitable plans, ensuring safety and quality of teaching and learning.

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Phan Van Mai has asked the steering boards for COVID-19 prevention and control in Ho Chi Minh City localities to urge schools reviewed their plans for in-person teaching and learning.

He also required preparations for the re-opening of kindergartens and nursery schools amid high demand of local people, with safety being given the top priority.