Students and a teacher at Thăng Long Primary School in Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà Nội on Wednesday morning. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tùng

HÀ NỘI — Nearly one million students from the first to sixth grade returned to school on Wednesday morning after almost a year spent learning online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nguyễn Điểm, the mother of a second and a sixth grader in Hoàng Mai District said her two children were unable to sleep because they were very excited to go back to school after a long time learning online.

On Wednesday morning, Điểm and her husband took their children to school together, she said.

“It is a simple source of happiness but it has taken a year,” she said.

Đinh Quang Huy, the father of a first grader, said he felt very excited when taking his son to school.

His son will have direct contact with teachers and classmates as well as doing more physical activities instead of watching TV or playing with an iPad at home, he said.

Phạm Tuấn Anh, a first grader at a primary school in Hoàng Mai District, said: “This is the first day I go to school, so, I am very eager.”

Nguyễn Quỳnh Trang, Anh's mother, said he prepared clothes and books.

He also woke up early, Trang added.

“Seeing him excitedly entering the school gate, I feel very happy,” Trang said.

A teacher and sixth graders at Quỳnh Mai Secondary School in Hai Bà Trưng District, Hà Nội on Wednesday morning.— VNA/VNS Photo  Hoàng Hiếu

Schools are prepared

Lê Thu Hằng, the principal of Bà Triệu Primary School in Hai Bà Trưng District, said after hearing that the students will return, the school immediately started cleaning classrooms and arranging the schedule.

Hằng said teachers and school administrators were also happy with the decision to allow children to return to school.

During the first week, teachers will focus on helping the students getting used to face-to-face learning again.

Students are coming back after a year learning online, so there will be initial difficulties such as being late because they have to get up earlier than usual or forgetting school supplies, she said.

“Therefore, teachers will only gently remind them so that students really feel that every day at school is a happy day,” she said.

Nguyễn Thị Hương, principal of Đông Ngạc A Primary School, in Bắc Từ Liêm District, said teachers are told to introduce first graders to the library, kitchen, canteen and toilets to create a fun atmosphere for their first days.

Trần Thị Loan, principal of Thanh Liệt Primary School, said teachers will take advantage of face-to-face learning to fill the gaps in knowledge caused by online learning.

Nguyễn Bích Thủy, principal of Nguyễn Trãi Primary School in Thanh Xuân District, said the school has organised teams to welcome students at the school gates.

Each first grader is given a notebook by the teacher to create a friendly relationship between the teacher and the student when they first meet, she said.

Tô Thị Hải Yến, principal of Giảng Võ Secondary School in Ba Đình District, said classrooms have been cleaned, while masks and hand sanitiser is available for welcome the students.

"Everything is ready," she said. — VNS