When General High Schools Have Staggered Attendance, All Grades of Science High Schools Attend... "1.5 Times Difference in Students per Class"

Eunju Lee, Justice Party Lawmaker, "24.2 Students per General High School Class, 16.4 per Science High School Class"
"Science High Schools Conduct Full Grade Attendance While Other Schools Have Staggered Attendance"

The above photo is not related to the article. / Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] It has been revealed that the number of students per class in general high schools is 1.5 times higher than that in science high schools. This makes social distancing more difficult and causes challenges in attending classes and learning gaps.

According to the 'Number of Students per Class by High School Type' received by Justice Party lawmaker Eunju Lee from the Ministry of Education on the 28th, the number of students per class in general high schools this year was 24.2, about 1.5 times (147.6%) higher than the 16.4 in science high schools. General high schools also had more students per class compared to foreign language high schools with 23.4 and international high schools with 23.3.

Looking at the gap in the number of students per class between science high schools and general high schools by region, Gwangju had the largest gap at 165.8%. Jeju (162.3%), Chungbuk (162.3%), and Busan (159.2%) followed.

The region with the smallest gap was Jeonnam at 108.8%, with general high schools having 22.0 students and science high schools 20.3 students per class. Following were Gangwon (127.3%), Gyeongbuk (127.8%), and Gyeongnam (133.8%).

Lawmaker Lee stated, "In an infectious disease crisis situation, the fewer students per class, the more positive the impact on academic achievement and character development." He added, "During the first semester, while other nearby schools had staggered attendance, some science high schools had all grades attending in person. Although reasons such as dormitory life or within guideline limits exist, the number of students per class is also a major factor."

He emphasized that all science high schools are national or public institutions established and operated by the Ministry of Education and metropolitan/provincial offices of education, ultimately pointing to this as discrimination created by the education authorities. Lawmaker Lee added, "The Ministry of Education and metropolitan/provincial offices of education should promptly establish measures to improve the number of students per class so that all high schools can have educational conditions at the level of science high schools."