'Prolonged Delay of Elementary, Middle, and High School Openings'... Guidelines Established for Each Closure Period

Ministry of Education Proposes 3-Stage Response Plan Based on School Closure Days
EBS and Online Learning Support... Additional Measures If Delayed Over 8 Weeks

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Amid concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the opening of all kindergartens and elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide has been postponed by one week. In response, the Ministry of Education has issued a long-term strategy guideline to prepare for the possibility of an extended delay in the start of the school term.

On the 25th, the Ministry of Education announced that it had sent the "2020 Academic Year New Semester Academic Operation Plan for COVID-19 Response" to 17 metropolitan and provincial offices of education and schools at all levels. This is the first time the education authorities have created academic operation guidelines based on the duration of school closures in preparation for prolonged suspensions.

The Ministry of Education divided school closures into three stages in the guideline. First, Stage 1 closure refers to a suspension of classes within 15 weekdays (3 weeks) after the semester begins. The decision made on the 23rd to adjust the nationwide school opening date to March 9 falls under this category. During Stage 1 closure, the number of school days is not reduced; instead, summer or winter vacation periods are shortened.

Stage 2 closure refers to continued suspension of classes for 16 to 34 days (4 to 7 weeks) after the semester starts. This would apply if the COVID-19 situation does not improve and the school opening is delayed up to 5 weeks. In this case, the education authorities allow each school to reduce the number of school days by up to 10% of the legally mandated school days (180 days for kindergartens, 190 days for elementary, middle, and high schools).

Stage 3 closure refers to suspensions lasting 8 weeks or longer. At this stage, the education authorities and each school will design new "long-term closure countermeasures."

The Ministry of Education also provided learning support measures for each closure stage. During Stage 1, when closures last within 3 weeks, education offices and schools open online learning rooms or provide students with preparatory materials through school websites. They also guide students to study sites such as EBS and Edunet that can be accessed from home.

If the closure extends to Stage 2, online learning is managed systematically like regular school classes, with learning time monitored and individualized lessons provided to each student. Evaluation plans, including performance assessments, are also developed.

When closures last 8 weeks or longer, the education authorities formulate long-term measures considering class hours, curriculum operation, and university entrance exam schedules. Students will engage in online learning according to the school timetable, and support plans for students falling below basic academic standards will be established.

Since the COVID-19 response level has been raised to "serious," the Ministry of Education has advised postponing or canceling school group events such as entrance ceremonies, field trips, and training activities. Education offices or education support offices may issue prohibition orders to frontline schools.

An official from the Ministry of Education stated, "If the spread of COVID-19 continues as it is, we cannot rule out considering additional delays in school openings," adding, "We will make decisions while monitoring changes in the situation."