Ninth graders at the Nguyễn Hiền Secondary School in HCM City’s District 7 attend classes. — Photo nld.com.vn

HCM CITY — Students in grades 7, 8, 10, and 11 in HCM City return to school today (January 4), three weeks after grades 9 and 12 students did so.

The People’s Committee approved a proposal by the Department of Education and Training to allow 680,000 more students in secondary and high schools to return to school on January 4.

Trương Quốc Hưng, principal of the Đức Trí Secondary School in District 1, said preparations for resumption of classes are complete to ensure the safety of teachers and nearly 900 students in grades 7 to 9.

Grades 7 and 9 would have classes in the morning and eighth graders in the afternoon, he said.

Classes with more than 45 students would be split into two smaller groups to prevent crowding, he said.

Plans to handle infections are also in place based on guidelines issued by the Department of Health, he added.

Võ Thiện Cang, principal of the Trần Hữu Trang High School in District 5, said from January 4 a total of 900 students would attend school.

The school kitchen would not open and students have to bring their own lunch, he added.

On December 13 around 150,000 students in grades 9 and 12 started attending school and preparing for mid-term exams.

All students will have their mid-term exams by January 22.

The department has recommended providing schools with COVID-19 test kits and personal protective equipment since many have limited financial resources. — VNS