Yoo Eun-hye Emphasizes Again, "D-99, No Postponement of the CSAT Schedule"

"Thoroughly Prepare for CSAT Quarantine
and Establish Multiple Alternatives"

Eun-Hye Yoo, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, is announcing the transition to remote classes for kindergartens, elementary, middle, high, and special schools located in the metropolitan area at the briefing room of the main building of the Government Seoul Office on the 25th. Photo by Moohonam Mun. munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] As schools at all levels in the Seoul metropolitan area switch to remote classes without attendance starting from the 26th, discussions about postponing the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), which is 99 days away, are intensifying. For now, the education authorities have reaffirmed their stance that "there will be no postponement of the CSAT."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye appeared on the radio that morning and said, "It is most necessary to carry out the CSAT scheduled for December 3 without any disruption," adding, "The measure (remote classes) was taken to strongly calm the COVID-19 situation." This means that the full remote classes implemented by schools in the metropolitan area, equivalent to social distancing level 3, are intended to properly maintain the CSAT schedule. Despite the remote class policy, 12th-grade high school students who need career and college entrance guidance will continue to attend school.

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo added, "Since the situation is unpredictable, we must not confuse examinees and parents," and said, "We will thoroughly prepare quarantine measures and establish various alternatives to conduct the CSAT as scheduled." She also mentioned that measures are being prepared to allow COVID-19 confirmed patients to take the CSAT in hospital rooms and those in self-quarantine to take it at separate test sites.

Regarding concerns about academic loss due to prolonged remote classes, Deputy Prime Minister Yoo responded, "We will support learning through remote learning assistants and secure additional budgets if necessary to prepare care measures as much as possible." She also said, "To minimize learning gaps, students who need basic academic support will be allowed one-on-one small group face-to-face support," adding, "Some special schools or small schools with fewer than 60 students will be allowed to conduct face-to-face classes at the discretion of the school principal." Deputy Prime Minister Yoo plans to request the establishment of a regional cooperation system between education support offices and basic local governments through a nationwide education chiefs video conference in the afternoon and discuss school and academy quarantine, care, and basic academic support measures.