Schools in Yantai, Shandong province hold interesting ceremonies to welcome students back to school as the new semester begins on Feb 13. [Photo/Shm News]

Schools make full preparations for students and teachers to safely go back to school for the new semester in Yantai, Shandong province. [Photo/Shm News]

Schools in Yantai, Shandong province hold interesting ceremonies to welcome students back to school as the new semester begins on Feb 13. [Photo/Shm News]

Primary and secondary schools and kindergartens reopened their doors to students in Yantai, Shandong province on Feb 13, and schools have made full preparations for students and teachers to safely go back to school for the new semester.

The new school term is the first semester after China downgraded its management of COVID-19 from Class A to Class B on Jan 8. 

Kindergarten kids enjoyed themselves most with many activities, such as drawing lots printed with blessings for their new school year. They could also choose a present prepared by their teachers.

In the past three years, due to safety concerns in the country's fights against the epidemic, students were frequently restricted to their homes and educated through the schools' online guided study sessions. Schools across Yantai arranged ceremonies and activities to mark the long-awaited normal school life.

At the same time, the city's education bureau also urged further optimization of school management in accordance with the country's adjusted COVID-19 response and full restoration of the normal order of school life.

In the new semester, schools will pay great attention to improving students' physical health by launching various sports activities at different levels to help restore their physical strength.

Some schools will arrange many academic research events and encourage students to participate in practical activities, aiming to make campus life more colorful and meaningful.