HCMC – The HCMC Department of Education and Training has written to the HCMC government putting forward a proposal for the reopening of schools in areas safe from Covid-19.
Schools will be reopened to students if the districts or Thu Duc City where the schools are located are determined as safe from the pandemic, according to the municipal department.
While teachers must have already been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 at least two weeks before returning to school, in-person classes will be opened to students who voluntarily return to school only.
Online classes must still be organized, especially for students who cannot attend school, the local media reported.
The municipal department proposed kindergartens have different time frames to pick up students and not provide breakfast in the initial stage.
The first, second, ninth and 12th graders should be prioritized to return to schools depending on Covid-19 safety and anti-virus measures. Classes for the fifth, sixth and 10th graders should be opened next.
In addition, schools should arrange small classes, while students should attend only one session per day.
Under the proposal, private schools and training and education centers should be prioritized for the reopening. These facilities can arrange accommodation for teachers and students to ensure their safety from Covid-19 during the in-person schooling period.
Meanwhile, foreign language and informatics centers should be reopened only when areas in their vicinity are assessed safe from the pandemic.
To help the economy recover, it is necessary to reopen schools, giving parents peace of mind to return to work and ensuring the quality of education, according to the municipal department.
