Schools are closed, but academies are holding classes... "It's becoming unbearable"

English Kindergartens Subject to Academy Law Open Doors
Unable to Bear Labor and Rent Costs
"Ahead of School Opening, Academies Also to Conduct 'Social Distancing' Education"

Flood of Withdrawal Inquiries at Daycare Centers and Kindergartens
"Teachers Are Attending Work Normally Under Emergency Childcare"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] A large franchise "English Kindergarten" with branches nationwide had suspended operations following the outbreak of COVID-19 but reopened last week. A representative of this English kindergarten stated, "We are strictly managing by bringing foreign teachers directly from the airport," adding, "Hand sanitizers are placed inside the classrooms, and thermometers are also provided." While kindergartens, including daycare centers, have all closed temporarily, English kindergartens are subject to the Academy Act, allowing them to resume operations.

Most academies find it increasingly difficult to endure due to prolonged closure periods, facing issues such as labor costs and rent. The Korea Academy Federation has also shifted its stance from closure to thorough quarantine measures. On the 23rd, Lee Yuwon, president of the Federation, said, "At the point when a month of closure has passed, I believe there is little difference in meaning between closure and reopening," and added, "Academies will also conduct education on 'social distancing' before the school reopening on April 6." According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, the academy closure rate significantly decreased from 42.1% on the 13th to 26.8% as of the 20th.

Meanwhile, daycare centers and kindergartens that cannot open due to additional delays in school reopening continue to receive inquiries regarding child withdrawal. Parents who judged it difficult to send their children to daycare centers and kindergartens at least during the first half of this year have chosen home care instead. According to the integrated information disclosure of daycare centers and kindergartens, some places have seen their enrollment reduced by about half.

With reduced enrollment, the amount of childcare fees and support for the Nuri curriculum that can be received decreases accordingly, so expenditures such as labor and management costs are expected to cause significant operational damage. A representative of the Korea Daycare Center Federation said, "Teachers are all coming to work normally for emergency care, but if the closure period is extended further, daycare centers will find it increasingly difficult to cope."