The Da Nang government has approved a proposal by the municipal Department of Education and Training to suspend in-person learning for first graders across the city from December 13 after they already attended one week of physical classes.

The decision was made at a meeting held late afternoon on Friday, December 10, and the event was attended by members of the municipal Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, officials from health and education sectors along with relevant agencies. 

In-person learning for first graders in Da Nang will be suspended from December 13 after they already attended one week of physical classes. Photo: NGOC HA.

It decided that while the Hoa Bac Primary School in Hoa Vang Rural District where there is no threat from coronavirus will continue to function, and first graders in other parts of the city will attend school remotely and return to online learning from next Monday, December 13 amid rising COVID-19 cases.

The municipal Department of Education and Training continues to work with the health agency and authorities at local level to offer suitable learning options to first graders and other students in Da Nang in a flexible and adaptable way in the context of COVID-19.

As of December 10, 29 primary schools in Da Nang have not yet conducted face-to-face classes or made the change to in-person instruction as these schools are under alert level 3 restrictions. In addition, 18 other primary schools have resumed with face-to-face teaching on campus but also offered on-line learning to students who could not attend the classes because of their places of residence under alert level 3 restrictions or being quarantined at home.

The decision on suspension of in-person learning for first graders in Da Nang came after the survey of their parents amid a spike in community cases. 77.13% of those surveyed said that they do not want their kids continuing with in-person learning as they’re so worried about their kids’ health, and only 13.44% want their kids in physical classes.

Reporting by NGOC HA – translating by H.L