LookAtVietnam – The Hanoi Education and Training Department has decided to delay the start of the school year as a result of the flu epidemic spreading in the city.

The official opening of the new school year has been slated for September 5 for primary, secondary and high schools, and September 8 for vocational schools.

Except for vocational schools, which will finish the school year on June 30, other schools will finish the school year between May 28-31, 2010.

Thong has affirmed that the delay will in no way affect teaching and learning plans, saying that in the first two weeks of the new school year, teachers and students always spend time reviewing lessons from the previous school year.

The number of students infected with H1N1 virus has reportedly increased. To date, infected students have been found at five schools in Hanoi.

On August 11, the first case of a university student in the city infected with H1N1 was reported by the University of Gymnastics and Sports Education in Chuong My district. The same day, a student from Academy primary school in Ciputra urban area was found to be H1N1 positive. A 7^th grade student at Nguyen Du Secondary School was discovered to be infected with H1N1 the day before.

Deputy Director of the Hanoi Education and Training Department Nguyen Huu Hieu said that after students go to school, if the epidemic becomes serious, the department will ask for hospitals to be set up right at the schools where many infected students are found, while Hanoi will not close schools.

Hieu said that the historic flood, prolonged and severe coldness last year forced students to stay at home for nearly one month. However, teachers and students were still able to fulfill their curriculums.

Previously, the city’s education department on August 10 said it would allow schools to summon students on August 15 so that students could get adapted to their learning environments. However, as local newspapers reported more flu cases subsequently, the plan was cancelled.

In HCM City, some primary and secondary schools are gathering students today, August 12, while students’ first week of learning will begin on August 17.

At high schools, students, especially 12^th grade students, will finish summer classes this week and enter the new school year immediately without any interruption.

As per request of many education sub-departments, many schools have arranged special rooms to isolate infected students. In order to prevent the spreading of the flu, most students will go to school either in the morning or afternoon, while they will not have lunch and stay at schools at lunch time.

VietNamNet/VnMedia, TT