For students in grades 1, 8 and 9 across Da Nang, except for those living in areas at COVID-19 alert level 3, yesterday marked their first return to campus for in-person instruction over the 2021-2022 academic after months of online learning at home because of the coronavirus outbreak. Primary and secondary schools citywide have made vital preparations for their reopening, thereby creating peace of mind for both parents and students.

Students at the Nguyen Hue Secondary School in Hai Chau District have their body temperatures taken before entering classrooms. Photo: NGOC HA

Ensure a safe learning environment

As noted by our reporters, COVID-19 safety and health protocols in line with the guidance from the Ministry of Education and Training, and the municipal departments of Education and Training, and Health were taken seriously by the schools.

All first graders underwent compulsory body temperature measurements and washed their hands with the use of sanitizer gel before entering classrooms. Also, they were reminded to wear face masks and keep a safe distance during school, whilst parents were only allowed to drop off/ pick up their children at school gates.

All schools arrange isolation and medical rooms in case any students are detected with suspected signs of COVID-19.

“On the first day of 1^st graders returning to in-person classes, we are so happy that the parents cooperate well with the school during the pick-up and drop-off time", said Mrs. Nguyen Thi Bac, the Headmistress of the Be Van Dan Primary Schoolin Thanh Khe District.

This was the first time grade 1 students had gone to school, so primary schools citywide organized friendly and comfortable welcome ceremonies and gave the students with small gifts and candies, aimed at helping them forget timidity and bewilderment.

Mrs. Nguyen Quynh Van, the Headmistress of the Phan Dang Luu Primary School based in Hai Chau District, said school teachers dressed up as cartoon characters in order to create a joyful and exciting atmosphere, thereby helping the children love school more on the first day of school.

Mrs Van added “For students who have not yet returned to school, I hope that, with the school's preparatory works and pandemic prevention and control measures, parents will confidently send their children to school in the next few days".

Mrs. Tram Anh whose child is a student of 1/5 class at the Hia Chau District-headquartered Ly Tu Trong Primary School felt secure at the school’s preparation work for students’ returns. “I think that staying out of school forever also affects the learning process of children. Therefore, my family cooperateed with the school to ensure the safest learning environment for students amidst fears over coronavirus" said Mrs. Tram Anh.

Along with first graders, students in grades 8 and 9 also went back to school for face-to-face instruction yesterday.

Temperature measuring devices, face masks, hand sanitizers, and areas to wash hands are available to students. COVID-19 preventive measures are provided in the schools with visual reminders to help students to protect themselves and others from the virus. Schools are using lane separations for students at entry and exit points in order to limit crowding at these areas.

Low rate of first graders returning to campus for in-person learning

According to the municipal Department of Education and Training, on December 6, 19 primary schools (19%) and 10 secondary schools (17%) in Alert Level 3 areas were not allowed to resume their in-person instruction.

Four senior high schools (Thai Phien, Nguyen Trai, Lien Chieu and Nguyen Thuong Hien) and the Continuing Education Center No 2 switched to online teaching due to the alert level of COVID-19.

The Thanh Khe Senior High School offered on-campus instruction for 12^th graders, and remote instruction for 10^th and 11^th graders (due to many students are living in areas at COVID-19 alert level 3).

Nearly 65% of the total number of first graders, and 96% of the total numbers of 8^th and 9^th graders, except for schools in Lien Chieu District, went to school on the first day of in-person classes.

In addition to the reason that students are living in the blockaded and medical isolation areas, and areas at COVID-19 alert level 3, some students were absent on their first day of school because parents were concerned about their children's safety from Covid-19.

Mrs Nguyen Thi Minh, the Headmistress of the Ly Thuong Kiet Secondary School in Hai Chau District, said that for students who cannot go to school, the school installed computers and cameras in classrooms for students to monitor the lesson even at home.

Meanwhile, students at the Huynh Thuc Khang Secondary School in Thanh Khe District can access the school's shared digital data warehouse for self-study.

Reporting by NGOC HA - Translating by M.DUNG