Nationwide Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and High School Opening Delayed to March 9... Further Postponement Under Review (Update)

Ministry of Education Urgently Decides 'Unprecedented' Nationwide School Opening Postponement
Recommends Academy Closures and Requests Avoidance of Multi-use Facilities

On the 6th, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education issued a closure order for 42 kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools in Jungnang-gu and Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection had visited. A notice informing about the closure is posted on the gate of Samseon Middle School in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) worsens, the government has postponed the opening of all kindergartens, elementary, middle, high schools, and special schools nationwide to March 9. This is the first time that all schools across the country have simultaneously closed or delayed the start of the semester, and there is a possibility of additional postponement measures depending on the situation.

On the afternoon of the 23rd, Deputy Prime Minister Yoo Eun-hye held a briefing after the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 expansion at the Government Seoul Office, stating, "The government recognizes the current situation seriously and will take all possible preemptive measures to protect the safety of the public and students," and announced, "The opening of frontline schools scheduled for next month on the 2nd will be postponed by one week."

Accordingly, the new semester opening for all kindergartens, elementary, middle, high schools, special schools, and various other schools nationwide has been postponed by one week from March 2 to March 9.

According to the current 'Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act,' the Minister of Education can order school closures if an infectious disease spreads. The Ministry of Education explained that it consulted with the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters to decide on this collective postponement of the semester start.

With the postponement, schools at all levels will first secure class days by adjusting summer and winter vacations, and if the closure is prolonged, they will consider reducing the legally mandated number of school days by up to one-tenth (18 days for kindergartens, 19 days for elementary, middle, and high schools). However, even if the semester is postponed, teachers and staff must come to school during the closure period and work normally, including preparing for the new semester's lessons.

This is the first time that all schools nationwide have simultaneously postponed the semester start. During the outbreaks of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2015 or the novel flu, postponements occurred only regionally or at individual schools, but the semester start was never delayed nationwide.

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo explained, "We may consider additional postponement measures depending on the future (COVID-19 spread) situation."

With the semester postponed, the Ministry of Education will implement follow-up measures in cooperation with metropolitan and provincial offices of education and schools, including student learning support and life guidance, kindergarten and elementary after-school care services, academy closures, and on-site inspections.

First, homeroom assignments, class allocations, and annual curriculum operation plans will be communicated to students and parents, and various content such as EBS lectures will be provided to enable students to study online at home. Kindergartens and elementary schools will take measures such as strengthening hygiene rules and facility disinfection to prepare for safe care services.

Additionally, the Ministry of Employment and Labor's 'Family Care Leave System' will be actively utilized, and connections with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's 'Childcare Service' will be strengthened. The government plans to prepare measures for dual-income families and low-income households on a cross-government basis.

Regarding academies, closure measures, suspension of student attendance, and exclusion of instructors at risk of infection will be recommended, considering confirmed patient movement paths and infection risks in affected areas. The Ministry of Education and metropolitan and provincial offices of education will strengthen on-site inspections through joint task forces.

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo urged, "During the postponement of the semester, parents should carefully guide students to refrain from using multi-use facilities such as out-of-school educational facilities and PC rooms."