Primary and middle schools in Beijing reopened yesterday after a two-month-long closure to prevent the spread of SARS.

Many of the 1.7 million students were relieved to return to school and rejoin their teachers and classmates. But they also face their final exams for the term in only two or three weeks.

The World Health Organization removed Beijing from its list of SARS-infected areas and lifted its travel advisory against the city last week. But the city's education authority is still taking precautions against SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).

Classrooms will be sterilized thoroughly every day and each student's temperature will be taken.

According to Beijing Municipal Education Commission, some schools have reduced their class sizes and others will shorten their school days with the approval of their district education authority.

Beijing's 1.7 million primary and high school students were sent home on April 24, when the SARS epidemic was peaking in the city. Third-year senior students in high school resumed classes first on May 22 to prepare for the national college entrance examination.

Students in other key grades have followed, on dates that have varied across the city.

According to the original plan, students in densely populated districts were to stay at home until July 14. But since the disease is now largely contained, the back-to-school date was rescheduled to yesterday, said the commission.

The summer holidays have been postponed from July 11 to July 25, and the next semester will begin on September 1, on schedule.

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