LUSAKA, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Pupils in examination classes flocked back to school on Monday after two months of lockdown caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The schools were closed in March as part of government measures to contain the pandemic.

The pupils, with face masks, returned to begin their lessons in preparation for their examinations.

A Xinhua team that visited some of the schools in Lusaka, the country's capital, found the pupils in classrooms learning.

Veronica Nyirenda, a student at Roma Girls Secondary School, said she was excited to be back and resume classes after two months of just staying at home.

"I am excited because I missed interactions with my friends," she said in an interview.

She said the pupils were happy with the preparations done by the school authorities, adding that all the health guidelines have been put in place.

Namangolwa, head teacher at Roma Girls Secondary School expressed happiness that pupils had turned up in large numbers to resume classes.

"We have a full house and everything is just okay. The pupils are happy to see each other after a long time," she said.

Bernard Mutambwa, head teacher of Ng'ombe PTA School said the school had made preparations in order to abide by the health guidelines as prescribed by health authorities.

He said all the pupils came with face masks except for a few who had to be turned away.

However, there were reports in local media that in some schools, most pupils were turned away because they did not have face masks.

The government had promised to provide face masks to all the pupils before resuming lessons. Enditem