Confusion Among Gunsan Education Office and Related Agencies Following 2 Confirmed Cases in Gunsan

On the 14th Early Morning, Local Students' School Attendance Suspended, Confusion Over Normal Attendance

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Geon-ju] As two COVID-19 confirmed cases occurred consecutively in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, the Gunsan Office of Education and the Provincial Office of Education caused great confusion over the attendance of students in the Gunsan area in the early morning of the 14th.

According to the School Education Division of the Provincial Office of Education, on that day, the mayor of Gunsan strongly urged the Gunsan Superintendent of Education to suspend student attendance, and the superintendent sent an emergency notification message to the principals of schools in the Gunsan area to stop student attendance without consulting the Provincial Office of Education.

On that day, school officials in the Gunsan area urgently informed parents of this fact through the early morning emergency contact network.

The Gunsan Office of Education informed the Provincial Office of Education after taking preliminary measures, and the Provincial Office of Education contacted the epidemiologist at the Jeonbuk Provincial Government to confirm that the confirmed patients had not been in contact with students, and conveyed to the Gunsan Office of Education that normal attendance could proceed.

Accordingly, the Gunsan Office of Education canceled the attendance suspension measure and again communicated the return to normal attendance, causing a commotion.

School officials and parents who witnessed the situation that occurred that day criticized the education authorities, saying, "There should be no more confusion regarding children's attendance."

In response, the Provincial Office of Education expressed regret, stating, "This was an issue that the Gunsan Office of Education should have decided in consultation with the Provincial Office of Education and should have followed the manual, but this was ignored," and added, "In infectious disease situations, similar to wartime where the governor has overall command authority, decisions during the COVID-19 situation should have been made in consultation with the Provincial Office of Education rather than the mayor."

Meanwhile, at a briefing room on the same day, the Provincial Office of Education added, "According to new information from Jeonbuk Province, during the process of reviewing CCTV related to the confirmed cases, there was a scene where four students were together," and "It has not been confirmed whether the four students were wearing masks at that time."