Excluding Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and High Schools to Start Online Classes from Next Month 9th... "December 3rd College Scholastic Ability Test" (Comprehensive)

High School Seniors and Middle School 3rd Graders Return to School
One Week Later, 1st and 2nd Year High School, 1st and 2nd Year Middle School, and 4th to 6th Grade Elementary Students
Finally, 1st to 3rd Grade Elementary Students Return by the 20th of Next Month

CSAT Postponed by 2 Weeks
Student Records Deadline Extended to September 16

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] For the first time ever, online school openings will sequentially begin for elementary, middle, high, and special schools nationwide, excluding kindergartens.

On the 31st, the Ministry of Education held a briefing at the Government Sejong Complex and announced that on April 9, 3rd-year high school and 3rd-year middle school students will start online classes; a week later on the 16th, 1st and 2nd-year high school students, 1st and 2nd-year middle school students, and 4th to 6th-grade elementary students will begin; and finally, on the 20th, 1st to 3rd-grade elementary students will start online classes in that order.

The initial two-day adaptation period after the school opening will be included in the total number of school days. During the online school opening period, students' attendance at school will be suspended.

Due to the delayed school opening, the university entrance schedule will also be adjusted, with the College Scholastic Ability Test postponed by two weeks to December 3. The deadline for submitting early admission student records will be changed to September 16. The revised test dates and other details will be finalized and announced in April after consultations with universities and organizations such as the Korea Council for University Education at the Ministry of Education's request.

According to the revised university admission schedule, early admissions are expected to be shortened by about three days compared to the previously announced schedule, and regular admissions and additional admissions by about 11 days.

However, kindergartens will continue to remain closed considering the developmental stages of young children, the nature of play-centered curricula, and the feasibility of infection control.

The Ministry of Education will establish a 'Remote Education Preparation and Inspection Team' to support remote classes after the new semester begins. Together with metropolitan and provincial offices of education, they plan to systematically prepare for remote classes and conduct on-site inspections by school and region. Additionally, efforts will continue to enhance teachers' capabilities, reduce learning gaps, and support information-disadvantaged groups.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye said, "We are facing new challenges never experienced before, such as a five-week delay in the new semester opening, the introduction of remote classes, and online school openings," adding, "We will prepare for future education in anticipation of the prolonged infectious disease situation."