Most Beijing Students to Return by Jun 8, University Campuses Reopen Jun 6

At a press conference held at 4pm Wednesday, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission (BMEC) announced the latest round of class return dates, this time for Grades 11, 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, and Kindergarten. With high school seniors already back in class since Apr 27, and Grade 9 students back from this Monday, May 11, the announcement is more welcome news for Beijing parents of school-aged students.

The BMEC did not, however, announce when students of Grades 1-3 would be returning to class. The reason to delay the return dates of these grades is likely to prevent overcrowding on primary school campuses. Unlike at most international schools that range from K-12, most local public schools start from Grade 1, and kindergarten is located on an entirely separate campus. Furthermore, the commission announced that kindergartens may begin reopening on Jun 8.

Here is the most updated list of return-to-class dates for Beijing schools:

Grade 12 – already back at school, as of Apr 27
Grades 10 – 11  – Jun 1
Grade 9 – already back at school, as of May 11
Grade 8 – Jun 1
Grade 7  – Jun 1
Grade 6 – Jun 1
Grade 5 – Jun 8
Grade 4 – Jun 8
Grades 1-3 – to be announced at a later date
Kindergarten – Jun 8
After school training centers – to be announced at a later date

Very little was said about university education at yesterday's press conference, which likely means a return to studies is still a ways to go. However, the education commission did say that campuses would reopen on Jun 6 and that seniors are welcome to return then, though they are not compelled to do so. Since seniors typically take on internships in their final semester, and thus have already completed classes, this may be a gesture to simply allow them back to pack up and say goodbye. More importantly, it may indicate when the many international students who have been stuck on the city's campuses with limited access to deliveries and facilities since the beginning of the outbreak, will finally be allowed to leave.

Please note that the announcement made by the BMEC was based on the local Chinese education system and grades, which can differ slightly from the grade names used at international schools. Please double-check with your child’s school directly if you are unsure when your child should prepare to return to school.

READ: International Students Have Been Stuck on Beijing University Campuses for Months

This article originally appeared on our sister site beijingkids.

Images: Element5 Digital (via Unsplash)