YA'AN, Sichuan, May 6 (Xinhua) -- School classes fully resumed on Monday in China's quake zone 16 days after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake jolted Sichuan Province, according to local education authorities.
In the city of Ya'an, the epicenter, 329 elementary and secondary schools had been forced to suspend classes due to damaged buildings.
Lessons resumed after safety checks were carried out by an expert panel consisting of more than 100 people.
The panel has advised 114 schools to use makeshift classrooms. More than half of the rooms that are needed have been set up, said an education official with the Sichuan provincial government.
Wei Chenglin, living in a 28-bed dormitory, said he was pleased classes have resumed.
"My biggest concern after the quake was getting back to my studying. I'm entering the final year of high school," said Wei, an 11th grade student in Lushan High School.
Students in the 12th grade were among the first to resume classes as this year's college entrance exam, set for June 7 and 8, approaches.
So far, the quake has left 196 people dead and more than 12,000 others injured. 
>>>Quake-hit China grows in pain
The principle of sparing no efforts to save lives cannot be more stressed. No minute or even second should be delayed during the "golden rescue period" in the first 72 hours after the quake.
>>>Pilot cancels wedding to participate in quake relief
When the 7.0-magnitude quake happened, Zhang Shangnian, a pilot from an aviation brigade of Chengdu Military Region, was about to hold his wedding.
>>>Nurse returns to work after losing mother
Just likes other medical staff, she was busy with rescuing people injured in the earthquake in SW China, but no one knew her mother just died in the quake.
>>>Wedding ceremony without bridegroom held on schedule
Zhuo Jia, the bridegroom, is a solider of the Chengdu Military Region; he had to leave his beautiful bride behind to participate in earthquake relief.
>>>An injured girl's smile moves many
"Your smile makes the entire world beautiful,” a photo of a smiling girl with bandage on her head has moved so many Chinese netizens.
>>>Teenager saves mom with his bare hands
The mother moves away a precast slab weighing over 50 kilograms alone to save her son in the earthquake. She said she did not know where her strength came from.
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