When COVID-19 restrictions are easing, school facilities across Da Nang are busy cleaning classrooms in tandem with developing plans on supporting pupils in the transition back to classrooms in preparation for the upcoming school comeback for on-campus.

Ensure hygiene and COVID-19 preventive measures for school pupils and staff

For the past few days, schools citywide have been actively involved in cleanups ahead of pupils’ further return to classes.

Teachers at the Nguyen Luong Bang Secondary School based in Lien Chieu District cleaning classrooms in preparation for the return of pupils

After being requisitioned as a medical isolation area, the Phan Phu Tien Primary School based in Lien Chieu District were disinfected and handed over to the school’s managers on October 1.

Currently, more TVs have been installed in classrooms to support for the school’s teaching and learning activities. Additionally, the focus has been on reexamining and repairing damaged lights and ceiling fans, making pupils feel safe and welcomed in their classrooms.

 “Our school has already made plans to welcome pupils back to campus, with our absolute priority of ensuring safety for pupils and school staff in the context of the complicated developments of pandemic” shared Headmaster of the Phan Phu Tien Primary School Nguyen Hy.

In a similar vein, the Thai Phien High School in Thanh Khe District is now ready for pupils’ return by cleaning all classrooms, as well as purchasing temperature measurement devices, alcohol-based sanitizer and medical masks.

Meanwhile, some schools are actively involved in renovating to welcome pupils back in the coming time.

In particular, the Ong Ich Khiem Primary School (Hai Chau district) is repainting classrooms, whilst the final stage of anti-leakage and waterproofing, the installment of surveillance cameras, and the upgrade of internet network are underway at the Chu Van An Secondary School.

“The upgrade work was delayed due to the city’s social distancing period. However, our school still makes sure to complete it ahead of pupils’ return," said Ms. Le Thi Hoang Chinh, Head Mistress of the Chu Van An Secondary School.

Proactive plan for teaching and learning activities

Apart from cleanups, educational facilities citywide are racing to map out proactive plans for the adaptation of teaching and learning activities in the new situation.

Unveiling his school’s plans for welcoming back pupils, the Headmaster of Lien Chieu District-based Nguyen Luong Bang Secondary School, Mr Pham Thanh Buu, remarked a volunteer team would be assigned to check body measures for pupils and instruct them to do hand hygiene practices before entering classrooms.

“Additionally, the school prepares for plan to handle the situation if any school pupils become F0 or F1 cases. During the teaching process, teachers should immediately report any cases of pupils who show symptoms of cough or fever, and then take them to school healthcare room for monitoring” added Mr Buu.

Likewise, the Pham Phu Thu High School in Hoa Vang District is also ready to welcome students back to on-campus learning.

Mr Nguyen Ba Hao, the school's Headmaster, said that unlike other senior high schools, the school has a boarding area for Co Tu ethnic minority pupils. Therefore, the school must pay special attention to these pupils. Accordingly, the school arranges 3 pupils per room instead of 6 as before. All boarding pupils will be required to strictly comply with the COVID-19 preventive recommendations under the Ministry of Health.

Meanwhile, some schools with pupils and teachers outside Da Nang who have not yet returned to city have also prepared for appropriate teaching and learning plans.

The Ngu Hanh Son Senior High School has a total of 52 pupils and 3 teachers hailing in Quang Nam who need to travel between two localities during the day.

“Our school is waiting for the guidance from the municipal Department of Education and Training to prepare for specific plans on teaching and learning and pandemic prevention and control” said Mr Tran Dat, the school's Headmaster.

Similarly, 12 pupils of the Son Tra Senior High School in Son Tra District who are living in Quang Nam Province have yet to return to the city for studying. Three of them need to go to school and then return home during the day, 4 are living in blockaded areas, and the remaining 5 have not yet returned to the city due to lack of means of transportation. Notably, two teachers hailing in Quang Binh and Quang Ngai provinces are not eligible to return to Da Nang.

The school’s Headmaster Bui Minh Quang said his unit has already made plans for a situation if teachers and pupils who have not returned in time for face-to-face learning or must undergo medical isolation after returning to the city.

In particular, the school will arrange substitute teachers if the two teachers cannot return to the city in time. As for pupils who cannot go to school for face-to-face learning, they will temporarily get school materials for self-studying.

Reporting NGOC HA - Translating by M.DUNG