Cambodian students return to school on September 15

Phnom Penh (VNA) - Hundreds of high schools in many provinces and cities of Cambodia officially reopened on September 15 after nearly six months of closure due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

In Phnom Penh, the launch of the new school year was marked with simple ceremonies at 227 high schools - including 68 public schools and 159 private educational institutions - with pandemic prevention measures strictly observed.

All teachers, school staff and students must present their immunisation cards before entering the school. On September 14, more than 10,000 teachers and school staff were tested for COVID-19. Teachers and staff over 50 years old who have not been vaccinated for health reasons and students with underlying medical conditions who have not been vaccinated are required to teach and learn online.

To prevent the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak in schools, the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has set strict health and safety regulations and plans for handling such situations. Accordingly, each school must organise a separate medical room with enough equipment for use in case of emergency. Schools are allowed to suspend classroom activities if a transmission is detected among students. Each school must check the temperature of all students, staff, teachers and visitors before entering the school.

Teachers, students and staffs are required to wear masks at all time before entering the school. Each school needs to prepare bins for discarded masks. Food sales on and off campus are prohibited until further notice./.