(illustrative photo: Phong Quang)

Schools in Hanoi can use in-person or online learning, depending on the local COVID-19 situation. There are in-person classes for healthy pupils, while COVID-19-infected pupils can attend classes virtually from their home. 

Ta Gia Secondary School in Lai Chau province, has suspended in-person learning for two weeks due to a growing number of COVID-19 cases. Rector Trịnh Ngoc Hung said the school has 14 classes with more than 500 pupils. 80% of them are Thai ethnic children whose families are poor and unable to afford online learning. The local education sector has had to adjust curriculums and teaching methods to match the situation.

“Teachers give homework to COVID-19-infected pupils who have to stay at home. The pupils study by themselves, with the teachers dropping by occasionally to help them. When the pupils return to school, their teachers review the previous lessons with them before they study new lessons,” said Hung.

Some schools in Ho Chi Minh City have shifted back to online learning when there are many COVID-19 infections in their classes. Teacher Ly Van Hue, Rector of Hoa Binh Primary School in District 1, says the school assigns teachers to teach virtual classes for the pupils learning at home.

“Each subject has one teacher who teaches an online class for pupils learning at home,” teacher Hue said. 

Schools have strengthened enforcement of the pandemic preventive measures recommended by the Ministry of Health to ensure the health safety of pupils, especially the younger ones who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.