A mother walks her children to Thăng Long Primary School in Hà Nội's Hoàn Kiếm District. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Many schools across the country welcomed first graders on Monday, two weeks ahead of the beginning of the new academic year.

In Hà Nội and HCM City, as well as Hà Nam, Ninh Bình, Hà Tĩnh, Hải Dương, Hậu Giang, Hòa Bình, Bến Tre, Đắc Nông, Đồng Tháp, Đồng Nai, and Bắc Giang provinces, first grade had their first experiences of life in the classroom.

In HCM City, more than 1.6 million students from elementary, secondary, and high schools returned to school and prepared for a new school year. More than 260,000 were kindergarten students, more than 660 primary students, more than 460,000 secondary students, and more than 245,000 high school students.

Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Primary School in District 1 welcomed more than 260 first grade students to school on Monday. Students were welcomed at the gate, and given gifts from teachers before gathering in the school yard to enjoy outdoor activities.

Principal Đỗ Ngọc Chi said the school designed an area for families to take photos with their children.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, students and parents were instructed to measure body temperature and wash hands before entering the school.

Phạm Đình Chính Primary School in Thủ Đức City welcomed more than 1,000 students, 251 first graders.

Principal Nguyễn Thị Kim Trang said the school's Board of Directors met with the parents of first graders and exchanged necessary information and curriculum so that parents could feel more secure.

Trang said the school had encouraged parents about the vaccination against COVID-19 for children, but so far about 500 students have not been vaccinated.

In the future, the school would continue to strengthen education on the benefits of vaccinations, she added.

Minh Đức Secondary School in District 1 also welcomed 470 new students with sets of gifts. After a tour, students played games to create a joyful and friendly atmosphere.

Nguyễn Minh Dũng, six grade student at Điện Biên Secondary School in Bình Thạnh District said he was very happy and nervous to go to the new school after the summer break.

“School, class, teachers, and classmates are all new for me. I will try to get acquainted with the new school and achieve good academic results this year,” he said.

New students are welcomed at the school gate, take the school tour and join fun games to get to know the new school. VNA/VNS Photo

According to HCM City’s Department of Education and Training, the number of students in the city was expected to increase by 21,825 this academic year. The majority of students were in Thủ Đức City, District 12, Bình Tân, Bình Chánh, and Hóc Môn districts.

Due to the high number of students, some schools faced difficulties in arranging standard classrooms and ensuring students could attend two sessions per day.

To avoid the overloading, the city planned to put 575 classrooms into use with total investment capital of more than VNĐ1.5 billion (US$64,072) this September.

In Hà Nội, Đan Phượng Primary School welcomed 195 first graders on Monday. Nguyễn Thị Oanh, the school’s principal said new students would surely be nervous.

That’s why the school planned to open two weeks ahead of the new school year so that students would get better acquainted with the school.

Oanh said students would take a school tour and get to know the school, teachers, and classmates through many fun activities.

Nguyễn Mai Anh, the mother of a first grade student in Tràng An Primary School in Hoàn Kiếm District, said children had a long time online learning last year, so they had limited soft skills and were not well prepared for a new learning environment.

“I hope they will get acquaintance with the new school soon,” she said.

First grade students get to know each other in their classroom. VNA/VNS Photo

Hà Nội’s Department of Education and Training has asked the principals of the schools to give priority to reviewing the conditions of facilities such as electric lines, water pipes, tables and chairs, stairs, and electric fans to ensure students’ safety.

The Ministry of Education and Training has issued a time frame for the new school year, in which first graders return to school as early as August 22 and other grades on August 29.

The academic year of 2022 - 2023 will start on September 5 as usual. The first semester will complete by January 15, 2023 and the second semester before May 25, 2023. 

The consideration and recognition of completion of the primary school programme and the completion of secondary school graduation must be completed before June 30, 2023. Enrollment for the first classes will be completed before July 31, 2023.

The completion of the primary school curriculum and secondary school graduation must be completed before June 30, 2023. Enrollment for first grade, sixth grade, and ninth grade will be completed before July 31, 2023.

The ministry will announce further instructions on the high school graduation exam and national exams. — VNS

First-graders at Phạm Văn Chính Primary School in Thủ Đức City (HCM City) on Monday morning.  VNA/VNS Photo Thu Hoài