Despite ample forewarning of the changes in school hours, Hanoi’s street proved chaotic on the first day of a pilot scheme ironically intended to ease traffic congestion.
Chaotic traffic at the school gate during the shift change
The street outside Ngo Si Lien Secondary School on February 1 descended into anarchy as students travelling for their morning and afternoon classes coincided.
Previously, students of the school’s morning shift ended their classes at 11:50 am but now they study until 12:15pm. While students on the afternoon shift are required to start their classes at 12:30pm. This 15 minute period proved insufficient for the morning school shift to leave the premises, causing serious traffic jams on Ham Long Street.
Even though the school’s teachers and several volunteers had taken part in regulating the traffic, their efforts proved largely in vain.
The school’s guard said, “Traffic was previously easier around the school as the afternoon shift started about 40 minutes after the morning shift ended. Now the break has been shortened.”
Photos taken at the school:
Crowded school-yard in the early afternoon
The morning shift now lasts until 12:15pm, instead of 11:50am
Early arrivals for the afternoon shift
Parents hurry to take their children to school
Giving way to pupils leaving the morning shift
Teachers and volunteer students attempted to regulate the traffic
Students of the morning shift end their classes
Struggling through the crowds
Overcrowded school
Serious traffic jams on Ham Long Street
Chaotic traffic
Waiting for the afternoon shift
