Hanoi first graders anxious on first day of school

On Thursday morning, several schools in the outskirts of Hanoi, including Ngo Si Kien Primary School in Thanh Tri District, began receiving over 1,400 students. Among them were 314 first graders.

Parents dress their children in warm clothes amidst the winter cold and light rain.

Students anxiously wait in line before class.

Just a day prior, the school board of Ngo Si Kien Primary School had a meeting with parents, especially those of first graders, to provide a run-down of classroom locations.

"Despite preparations, the school is still anxious as students return, especially first graders," said Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, vice principal.

Students not used to the hand sanitizer dispensers at school receive help from teachers.

There were also body temperature scanners outside the school gates.

Some students were led by their teachers to class.

Bui Bich Ngoc takes her son, Tran Hong Dang, to class. She said the boy was excited to go to school for the first time.

"For me and my son, today is the first day of the school year," said Ngoc.

Before classes begin, teachers take their students' temperatures one more time.

In some classes, students receive li xi, Lunar New Year lucky money.

On Thursday, over 500,000 students from first to sixth grade returned to school in the outskirts of Hanoi, ending over nine months of online studying.