Hanoi cautiously reopens primary schools

Preparations are urgently being made, with special attention paid to handling arising problems to ensure children’s safety, as Hanoi will reopen schools for primary students from grades one to six in 12 urban districts, starting February 21.

Teachers at Thang Long Primary School in Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi conduct a rehearsal to welcome students back to school. (PHOTO: SON BACH)
Teachers at Thang Long Primary School in Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi conduct a rehearsal to welcome students back to school. (PHOTO: SON BACH)

Primary schools have promptly completed preparations to welcome back students, with carefulness given to the smallest things.

Principal of Nguyen Du Primary School in Hoan Kiem district, Bui Thi Dieu Ngoc said that in addition to cleaning, the school is equipped with rapid test kits, SP02 concentration meters and four isolation rooms, in case of F0 detection.

“We have built six plans to deal with F0 cases detected at school. The teachers also practiced specific drills to flexibly respond to each situation,” Ngoc emphasised.

“It is appropriate for children to return to school at this time, so that their knowledge can be supplemented and consolidated. I also believe that the school will ensure careful pandemic prevention measures, but I am still a little worried, because the pandemic situation in Hanoi is quite complicated,” said Do Van Anh, a parent with a son in grade two, in Ba Dinh district.

Primary schools have also planned to teach both in-person and online forms, to facilitate students who cannot attend school directly.

In addition, schools also implemented the registration for COVID-19 vaccinations, for all their students. About 62% of parents, whose children are studying at schools in Hoan Kiem district, registered to vaccinate their children by February 17.