Tasks with Unverifiable Performers After Online School Opening Will Not Be Recognized in Student Records

Attendance recognized if confirmed within 7 days after class
Evaluation includes recorded video presentations, discussions, and musical instrument performances

Book reports and essays are generally not allowed
Can be recorded in student records after school reopening

On the 30th of last month, a teacher at Hwibong High School in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, designated as a remote education pilot school, is recording a class video. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Attendance for remote classes after online school openings for elementary, middle, high, and special schools nationwide will be recognized if confirmed within 7 days of the class date. Assignments for which the performing party cannot be verified will not be recorded in student evaluations or student records.

On the 7th, the Ministry of Education revised the guidelines for writing and managing school life records and announced instructions containing principles and methods for each school unit.

Unlike in-person classes, remote classes can count attendance if confirmed within 7 days from the class date, even through post-verification documents. Even in real-time interactive classes, if a student fails to attend on time, proof via social network services (SNS), text messages, or supporting documents can be accepted. If participation is inevitably impossible, teachers can provide alternative learning programs, and attendance can be processed based on the results of their completion. In cases of long-term absence, confirmation will be made by phone, and if the student's whereabouts cannot be verified, the absence will be recorded and an investigation requested.

Teachers can observe and verify students' learning processes during remote classes and evaluate or record them in the student records accordingly. This includes discussions or video presentations using real-time platforms. Evaluation is also possible through videos of students performing tasks such as singing or playing musical instruments. However, tasks like book reports, essays, compositions, or PPT presentations, where the performing party cannot be verified or observed, can only be recorded in student records after in-person classes resume and the tasks are utilized in class. In this case, the completeness of the assignment itself is not evaluated; instead, achievement, attitude, participation, and performance competencies demonstrated during in-person classes are assessed.

The Ministry of Education plans to allow adjustment of the weighting of performance evaluation scores to alleviate the burden on students if performance evaluations are concentrated within a short period after in-person classes resume.

To support teachers in the field, the Ministry of Education will conduct a real-time online teacher training session on the 8th. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye said, "Although there will be difficulties in the field, if teachers demonstrate their teaching capabilities based on these guidelines, we expect remote classes to settle quickly."