First batch of students to return to campus on April 27 while the Shanghai Education Commission adds two dates in May for others to get back to school in the city.

Eighth and 11th graders will return to schools on May 6, while fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and 10th graders will return on May 18, the Shanghai Education Commission announced on Monday.

Previously, the commission said ninth and 12th graders, or the middle and high school graduating students, would return to campuses on April 27. They will be the first batch of students to return since the pandemic broke out and authorities ordered schools to extend winter vacations and asked students to study at home via online platforms.

The dates for the return of first to third graders and kindergarten children will be decided later based on developments of the pandemic, the commission said.

It said that before schools and kindergartens resume normal classes, all training organizations are banned from restarting offline services.

Universities and secondary vocational schools have been asked to welcome graduating students from April 27 and arrange for other students to return in batches from May 6.