By Cathy Chen and Luciana Guo

As Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong fell from earlier this year, schools began reopening in September. So too RCHK Primary students .

ESF decided to begin Year 1 classes on September 16 with permission from the EDB so that the Year 1 students could be familiar with the school before older students came in. Year 2 and Year 3 classes resumed on September 23, and Years 4-6 classes on September 29. 

The EDB announced that schools could choose to open for half-days or full days. Some ESF schools chose to open half-day: face to face in the morning and zoom in the afternoon, cancelling the in-person lunchtime at school. However, this would have caused a problem for students who live far away from their school, as they might miss lunch or some afternoon zoom classes. Therefore, some schools like RCHK chose to open full-day every day. 

Students had mixed feelings about going back to school. Some didn’t want to wear masks, while others really wanted to go back to school and see their friends.

As school was closed at the beginning of the school year, many new students were not familiar with the school and were a little nervous about starting school. To help with this, the school provided tours for new students by old students. 

“Since I was new, I was worried, but I was also very excited to go to my new school and meet new friends,” says Claudia Lam, a new student from 6RL. 

Also, returning to school was very confusing as older students had a changed timetable. They didn’t even have the same snack time every day! Students worried that they would forget which classes they had on which days.

When everyone returned to school, social distancing also began again: students had to stay one metre apart from each other, including siblings, friends, and teachers. Ball games were not allowed as physical touching wasn’t permitted. As a result, some students didn’t know what to do during break time. 

Students also had a smaller desk at school than last year: with half a desk each, four students sharing one desk together, with a plastic divider in the middle. Each class has only had one classroom. However, at least students were able to go to proper school every day and there was no need for online learning in the afternoon. 

This didn’t last long, unfortunately, as it only took a few months before  distance learning returned. 

“I really want to be at school with my friends, but I also want distance learning because I don’t want to wear a mask, carry my bag, or climb stairs,” says Lam. 

Students hope to go back to school after the Christmas holiday, but the possibility is low as the COVID situation seems out of control. Here’s hoping we go back to real school soon!