Repeated Blue House Petitions Urge Introduction of 'September Semester System'
Kim Kyung-soo: "Review of September Semester System Needed"
President Moon: "Discussion on September Semester System Not Advisable"
Kyochong: "'September New Academic Year' Discussion Only Causes Confusion"
On the 30th of last month, when the opening of schools at all levels was delayed due to the novel coronavirus infection crisis, a teacher at Gwangcheon Elementary School in Seo-gu, Gwangju, is participating in online training in the classroom to prepare for remote classes. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), elementary, middle, and high schools are facing an unprecedented 'online school opening.' As a result, 3rd-year high school and 3rd-year middle school students will start online classes on the 9th of this month, and other grades will sequentially begin online school openings on the 16th and 20th, starting remote classes.
However, some have pointed out that preparations for online school openings are insufficient, leading to many problems and ongoing controversy. In particular, there are claims that a September semester system should be introduced, while others argue that it is premature to implement it, causing conflicts around this issue.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye announced the 'new semester school opening plan' at a briefing at the Government Sejong Complex on the 31st. Minister Yoo stated, "After online school openings are conducted up to the lower grades of elementary school, we are considering a plan to combine remote classes and in-person classes by comprehensively assessing the spread of COVID-19," adding, "From the end of April, it is expected that remote and in-person classes can be conducted concurrently."
However, negative reactions have emerged due to reasons such as lack of preparation. A (45) who has two elementary school children said, "Since both parents work, we cannot confirm if the children are properly attending online classes," and pointed out, "Although the kids are good with computers, there will be issues like disconnections during class and various other problems, but there are no clear guidelines on these aspects yet."
A test-taker expressed through an online community, "I don't know if the online school opening will go well," and said, "Honestly, I can't concentrate even when listening to internet lectures, so I think studying properly will be difficult if regular classes are conducted online."
As a result, there are calls for the introduction of a September semester system. This is because postponing school openings by one or two weeks or substituting with remote classes is not considered a fundamental solution.
The September new semester system is a system where elementary, middle, and high schools as well as universities start the new academic year in September. Since most countries start the new school year in September, it has the advantage of promoting international exchange of outstanding talents.
Additionally, the longer summer vacation allows sufficient preparation time for the new academic year, and it can also resolve the ambiguous issue of the February spring vacation, which is cited as a necessity for the September new semester system.
Recently, on the Blue House National Petition Board, petitions titled "We propose actively considering the introduction of a September semester system as an opportunity arising from the current emergency situation due to COVID-19" and "We petition to align the new school semester start to September" have been posted consecutively. Photo by Blue House National Petition Website Capture
Recently, on the Blue House's national petition board, petitions titled "Actively consider introducing the September semester system as a response to the current emergency situation caused by COVID-19" and "Please set the new semester school opening to September" have been posted one after another.
The petitioner urged, "Forcing school openings or postponing by one or two weeks will only increase confusion and controversy," and added, "It would be better to start the first semester in September and adjust the academic schedule accordingly as a follow-up."
Local governments are also voicing calls to publicize the September new semester system. Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, mentioned the school opening delay issue on his Facebook on the 21st of last month, stating, "There is a need to consider the September new semester system."
He added, "Among OECD countries, only Japan and Australia, besides South Korea, start school in March," and said, "If the school opening is further delayed due to COVID-19, it might be necessary to consider the September new semester system."
On the other hand, some argue that introducing the September semester system is unrealistic. B, a 40-year-old office worker with a middle school child, said, "The September semester system is nonsense. If students suddenly start school in September without a proper system in place, both students and parents will be confused."
Another test-taker said, "I just heard about the September new semester system recently. Even if it is introduced, I think it requires a long preparation period."
In particular, the previous government also considered introducing the 'September new academic year system,' but it was abandoned due to enormous costs and social repercussions. According to the 'September New Academic Year System Implementation Plan' published by the Korea Educational Development Institute (KEDI) in January 2015, the cost of restructuring the academic system was estimated at 8 to 10 trillion won.
President Moon Jae-in is presiding over the 3rd Emergency Economic Meeting related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) held at the Blue House on the 30th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News
Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in stated on the 23rd of last month regarding the calls for the September semester system amid the COVID-19 situation, "It is not desirable to discuss the implementation of the 'September semester system' in connection with the school opening schedule."
The Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA), the largest teachers' organization, also criticized on the same day the suggestion to change the new academic year start to September since the school opening was postponed to April, calling it "irresponsible."
In a statement, KFTA said, "Now is the time to focus on overcoming COVID-19, not to stir confusion by discussing the 'September new academic year system,'" and added, "Suggesting to implement the September new academic year system at this time is unconvincing and irresponsible."
Especially, KFTA noted, "Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) had its first infection on May 20, 2015, and was declared over on December 23 of the same year," adding, "Even if the academic year starts in September, there is still a possibility that school openings could be delayed due to infectious diseases."
KFTA pointed out, "Changing the new academic year start would cause enormous social upheaval and costs, so it must be decided carefully," and said, "Not only the curriculum, academic schedule, and entrance exam schedule but also corporate recruitment schedules and civil service exam schedules would need to be completely revised."
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