For the first time in a year, Mexican school children returned to classrooms Monday — at least in the southern state of Campeche.

Campeche, on Mexico's Gulf coast, has been the state least affected by the pandemic in Mexico, and it was the first to get its teachers vaccinated.

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Wering a mask to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher hands a workbook to his 10-year-old student Jade Chan Puc during the first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

For the first time in a year, Mexican school children returned to classrooms Monday — at least in the southern state of Campeche.
Wearing a mask to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a mother walks her son to the first day of class at the Valentín Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

While it may have been good to get back to school, the scene in Campache was different from before: Students were allowed back in small groups to maintain social distancing, and they wore face masks and plastic face shields.
Wearing masks and face shields to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, two students play during the first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Mexico has faced unique challenges in trying to keep students up to date with schoolwork during the pandemic, Many students do not have computers or internet access at home.
Students maintain a safe social distance to curb the spread of the new coronavirus during their first day of class since the COVID-19 outbreak, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

“The homework will be easier, because you had to find time to help her,” said Puc Kuk. “The teacher can help her better.”
Wearing masks to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher checks the work of his 10-year-old student Jade Chan Puc during the first day of class at the Valentín Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Wearing masks to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher checks the work of his 10-year-old student Jade Chan Puc during the first day of class at the Valentín Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)
Wearing a mask and face shield to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a student washes his hands before entering for his first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Wearing a mask and face shield to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a student washes his hands before entering for his first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)
Wearing a mask to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher disinfects a student's shoes before entering for the first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Wearing a mask to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher disinfects a student's shoes before entering for the first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)
The mother of 10-year-old Jade Chan Puc fixes her hair before before sending her off for her first day of class since the start of the new coronavirus pandemic, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

The mother of 10-year-old Jade Chan Puc fixes her hair before before sending her off for her first day of class since the start of the new coronavirus pandemic, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)
A mother mops the floor of a classroom before the students arrive for their first day of class since the COVID-19 outbreak, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

A mother mops the floor of a classroom before the students arrive for their first day of class since the COVID-19 outbreak, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)
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Wering a mask to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher hands a workbook to his 10-year-old student Jade Chan Puc during the first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

For the first time in a year, Mexican school children returned to classrooms Monday — at least in the southern state of Campeche.

Wearing a mask to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a mother walks her son to the first day of class at the Valentín Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

While it may have been good to get back to school, the scene in Campache was different from before: Students were allowed back in small groups to maintain social distancing, and they wore face masks and plastic face shields.

Wearing masks and face shields to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, two students play during the first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Mexico has faced unique challenges in trying to keep students up to date with schoolwork during the pandemic, Many students do not have computers or internet access at home.

Students maintain a safe social distance to curb the spread of the new coronavirus during their first day of class since the COVID-19 outbreak, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

“The homework will be easier, because you had to find time to help her,” said Puc Kuk. “The teacher can help her better.”

Wearing masks to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher checks the work of his 10-year-old student Jade Chan Puc during the first day of class at the Valentín Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Wearing masks to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher checks the work of his 10-year-old student Jade Chan Puc during the first day of class at the Valentín Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Wearing a mask and face shield to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a student washes his hands before entering for his first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Wearing a mask and face shield to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a student washes his hands before entering for his first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Wearing a mask to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher disinfects a student's shoes before entering for the first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Wearing a mask to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher disinfects a student's shoes before entering for the first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

The mother of 10-year-old Jade Chan Puc fixes her hair before before sending her off for her first day of class since the start of the new coronavirus pandemic, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

The mother of 10-year-old Jade Chan Puc fixes her hair before before sending her off for her first day of class since the start of the new coronavirus pandemic, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

A mother mops the floor of a classroom before the students arrive for their first day of class since the COVID-19 outbreak, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

A mother mops the floor of a classroom before the students arrive for their first day of class since the COVID-19 outbreak, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Grade-school students in Campeche are the first, and so far the only, students in Mexico’s 32 states to return to classrooms. However, vaccinations for teachers in five more states with relatively low levels of coronavirus cases are scheduled to start Tuesday.

Wering a mask to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher hands a workbook to his 10-year-old student Jade Chan Puc during the first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Wering a mask to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher hands a workbook to his 10-year-old student Jade Chan Puc during the first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

While it may have been good to get back to school, the scene in Campache was different from before: Students were allowed back in small groups to maintain social distancing, and they wore face masks and plastic face shields.

Jacinto Javier Uc Ordoñez teaches fourth to sixth grade, and also serves as the director, at the Valentín Gomez Farías primary school in the Maya village of Monte Bello. Instead of welcoming his classes back all at one time, on Monday he saw his fourth-graders three at a time for briefer 1 1/2- or 2-hour sessions.

“I feel happy to go back to school, to see my teacher, to see my classmates,” said fourth-grader Jade Sarahi Chan Puc, 10. She was also enthused because the school is one of the only places in the village with internet.

Wearing a mask to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a mother walks her son to the first day of class at the Valentín Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Wearing a mask to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a mother walks her son to the first day of class at the Valentín Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Mexico has faced unique challenges in trying to keep students up to date with schoolwork during the pandemic, Many students do not have computers or internet access at home.

“Here in Monte Bello, there is no internet, the signal doesn't reach here, there is nothing,” Uc Ordoñez said, noting that throughout the pandemic, he and other teachers personally delivered each student's homework to their homes.

Jade Sarahi's mother, Hermelinda Puc Kuk, is also happy classes are starting again. As for many parents all over the world, distance learning has been difficult, with some special challenges in their village.

Wearing masks and face shields to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, two students play during the first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Wearing masks and face shields to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, two students play during the first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

“The homework will be easier, because you had to find time to help her,” said Puc Kuk. “The teacher can help her better.”

Mexico has suffered almost 212,500 test-confirmed deaths from COVID-19, but because the country does so little testing, authorities acknowledge the real toll is over 330,000.

Students maintain a safe social distance to curb the spread of the new coronavirus during their first day of class since the COVID-19 outbreak, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Students maintain a safe social distance to curb the spread of the new coronavirus during their first day of class since the COVID-19 outbreak, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

 Wearing masks to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher checks the work of his 10-year-old student Jade Chan Puc during the first day of class at the Valentín Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Wearing masks to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher checks the work of his 10-year-old student Jade Chan Puc during the first day of class at the Valentín Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

 Wearing a mask and face shield to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a student washes his hands before entering for his first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Wearing a mask and face shield to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a student washes his hands before entering for his first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

 Wearing a mask to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher disinfects a student's shoes before entering for the first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

Wearing a mask to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a teacher disinfects a student's shoes before entering for the first day of class at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)
The mother of 10-year-old Jade Chan Puc fixes her hair before before sending her off for her first day of class since the start of the new coronavirus pandemic, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

The mother of 10-year-old Jade Chan Puc fixes her hair before before sending her off for her first day of class since the start of the new coronavirus pandemic, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

 A mother mops the floor of a classroom before the students arrive for their first day of class since the COVID-19 outbreak, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)

A mother mops the floor of a classroom before the students arrive for their first day of class since the COVID-19 outbreak, at the Valentin Gomez Farias Indigenous Primary School in Montebello, Hecelchakan, Campeche state, Monday, April 19, 2021. Campeche is the first state to transition back to the classroom after a year of remote learning due to the pandemic. (AP PhotoMartin Zetina)