S. Korea's education ministry gears up for full school attendance starting August

14일부터 학교 밀집도 1/3→2/3…수도권 중학생 등교 확대

To prevent a cluster happening at schools... South Korean government has put limits to schools' capacity depending on the level of social distancing.
Today... the Education Ministry announced that it's upping the limit for distancing level two... which would affect the capital region directly.
In addition... the plan is to have schools to have full attendance starting second semester this year... which is in August.
Our Kim Do-yeon has the details.
From June 14th, middle schools in the Seoul area will be able to have more students back in the classroom... as schools' capacity limits will be increased to two thirds from the current one third under level 2 social distancing measures.
This comes as the Education Ministry is eyeing the full opening of schools when the second semester begins in August.

"Dear citizens, it is time for full support from all sectors related to education, including systematic expansion of face-to-face classes with the goal of full attendance so that the learning deficit caused by COVID-19 can be fully recovered."

Hardest hit by the attendance limits were middle schools in the capital region.
The attendance rate for these schools is currently at under 50 percent... as the region is under social distancing level two.
There are exemptions for elementary and high schools nationwide, allowing them to have more than 67 percent of their capacity.
And in other regions with lower social distancing levels... middle school attendance rate was at 80 percent.
Online classes were in place for those who didn't go to school, but the general consensus is that in-person classes are much better for students.

"I like in-person classes because I can talk to my classmates... also I can concentrate better."

"I think schools are like small communities. I can talk to my friends and teachers and learn how to cooperate with one another."

Another eased measure is that vocational high schools, which rely heavily on on-site education will have full in-person attendance as long as the distancing measures don't rise above level 2.

"The Minister added that by the middle of this month, the steps toward full attendance in August will be clearer. In addition, a project will be launched to make up for the loss in learning caused by remote lessons, not just to fill gaps in students’ knowledge, but to boost their confidence and emotional stability.
Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News."

#SouthKorea #education_ministry #school_attendance

2021-06-02, 17:00 (KST)