Students, some accompanied by their parents, return to school in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, on Sept 1, 2021, the first day of the new academic year. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Students in Hong Kong returned to campuses on Wednesday as the new academic year began for kindergarten, primary and secondary school pupils.

Schools will conduct half-day, face-to-face lessons in the new school year in September, as announced by Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung last month.

Students who have received their second COVID-19 vaccine dose are allowed to stay in school in the afternoons for non-academic activities.

Students wash their hands before entering the compound of a school in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, on Sept 1, 2021. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Parents accompany their children to school in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, Sept 1, 2021. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Two boys pose for photos on their way to school in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, Sept 1, 2021. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Students eat their breakfasts before heading to school in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, Sept 1, 2021. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Parents accompany their children to school in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, on Sept 1, 2021. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Students wearing face masks alight from a school bus in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, Sept 1, 2021. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Chim Hon-ming, principal of Chiu Sheung School, Hong Kong, speaks to Primary One students at the school hall on the first day of school, Sept 1, 2021. (SHAMIM ASHRAF / CHINA DAILY)