A file photo shows children of a kindergarten in Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà Nội playing in a class. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội will allow kindergartens to reopen from March 1 and let parents decide whether to send their children to school or not.

Deputy Chairman of the city People’s Committee Chử Xuân Dũng made the announcement during an online meeting on COVID-19 prevention and control with districts, townships and communes of Hà Nội on Thursday.

When this is approved, Hà Nội will have all children and students of kindergarten to high school ages return to school by March 1.

From February 10, students from grades 1-12 of 17 outlying districts and a township returned to in-person learning.

Students from grades 7-12 in 12 urban districts have also returned to school. Students from grades 1-6 of these 12 districts will be back to school starting from February 21.

At the meeting, deputy chairman Dũng said bringing students back to school is an important task.

He ordered local authorities to coordinate with schools to ensure the safe return for students.

He ordered the city’s Department of Education to coordinate with the Health Department to work on plans and preparations to bring kindergarten children back to school from March and resume day-boarding services for elementary students.

The education department will have to make sure all schools implement pandemic prevention and control measures.

Nguyễn Thanh Sơn, Secretary of the Party Committee of Hà Nội Universities and Colleges, said higher education institutions had implemented COVID-19 prevention measures and all would welcome back students by March. — VNS