Phnom Penh: There are just two days to go before secondary schools in the capital will reopen after an almost seven-month break. Schools, teachers and students are all getting ready, but safety against Covid-19 is being prioritised. School administrations in Phnom Penh have sanitized their campuses and are cleaning up. Teachers were also tested for Covid at the weekend, in line with a requirement set by the Ministry of Education.

Public and private schools have to meet all the requirements to be able to reopen on Wednesday, although private schools can make their own decision about exactly when. Most public schools from Grade 7 to 12 in Phnom Penh will open on the date set by Governor Khuong Sreng. Schools have been cleaning up and sanitizing for the past week, especially those schools that were used as quarantine or treatments centres for Covid-19 patients.

While teachers say they’re excited to get back to in-person learning, parents are equally excited. Food vendor, Doung Chan, told EAC News:

“I feel very happy because my kid will get to learn more than before. Everyday my kid studies online. The problem for them is the internet. If they go back to school, they get to learn more and learn faster.”

Another food vendor, Sok Tha, told us:

“I am excited for my child to go back to school and I hope this time, they won’t close the schools again. I also hope that the Covid-19 pandemic will end soon.”

Beyond Phnom Penh, some other provinces are also reopening schools. One of them is Pursat Province. Provincial Education Department Director, Ly Sokunthy, says a total of 54 secondary and high schools will open on Wednesday, while in Kampong Cham, Provincial Governor Un Chanda has announced that secondary level will reopen next Monday, 20 September, while primary level will reopen on Monday 11 October.