Schools reopen in many localities

Schools reopened in many localities nationwide on May 4 after the prolonged COVID-19 break with large percentages of students having been welcomed back to schools in Da Nang City, and the provinces of Lam Dong and Ninh Thuan.

Students at Viet Duc High School in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem District have their temperatures checked at the entrance gate on the first day returning to school
Students at Viet Duc High School in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem District have their temperatures checked at the entrance gate on the first day returning to school

During the first days of reopening, educational facilities have strictly followed regulations on epidemic prevention and control, including ensuring the safe distance among students, and reminding them to wear face masks, wash their hands and have their temperatures checked before entering classes.

However, several localities observed lower proportions of students returning to school, which has resulted from many factors. For example, in Quang Binh Province, the provincial Department of Education and Training faced difficulties in mobilising ethnic minority students to return to school as their groups are entering harvest season and their parents want their children to stay home to support the farm work.

From early morning on May 4, youth unions in Hanoi took actions to support local schools on their reopening day. In particular, Tay Ho District’s youth union installed 12 automatic antiseptic hand washing machines at secondary and high schools in the district. Meanwhile, youth union of Hoang Mai District launched volunteer groups to help check students’ temperatures at 23 schools in the district.

Free face masks and hand sanitisers were also presented to schools, colleges and universities in the capital city.

Also, yesterday morning, Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha visited Phan Dinh Phung High School in Hanoi’s Ba Dinh District to inspect the COVID-10 prevention measures on its first day of resuming operation.

He called on teachers to ensure the safety of students and to stay firm in overcoming this difficult period of time. He noted that although the epidemic is being controlled well, it still hinders the potential of reoccurring outbreaks without the need for drastic preventative measures.