For the first time in two months, students at Beijing's primary and middle schools are coming back to class in Monday morning. For most students, it's just so great to see the faces of classmates and teachers again.

"I'm very excited to come back to school. I missed my classmates and teachers very much at home," said a student.

During the SARS period, students across the city studied at home with the help of televised teaching programs. The teachers kept in contact with students by telephone or e-mail.

Though the peak of the SARS epidemic has passed, the schools have taken precautionary measures to protect the students from any possible infections. In Yuying Primary School, one of the largest schools in Beijing, the first class the students have today is on how to maintain personal hygiene.

The city's education authorities require all schools to disinfect the classrooms and keep them well ventilated. Students will have their temperatures checked everyday. And special attention will be paid to the school cafeteria and dormitories.

"We have over 5,000 students. During the SARS period, the staff working in the cafeteria and the dormitories didn't leave school to avoid any chance of cross infection. One week prior to reopening school, we had all of the blankets washed. We also disinfected every corner of the cafeteria and dormitories," said Yan Hua, assistant headmaster of Yuying Primary School.

Though schools have resumed classes now, the students only have to attend in the morning during the first week. This is to give them time to get accustomed to school life. The current semester will finish on July 25, a month later than usual. The new semester will begin on September 1, as regularly scheduled.

(CCTV.com June 30, 2003)