Maintaining Kindergarten and Elementary School Levels at 1/3 to 2/3
Increasing Trend of Students Recently Diagnosed with COVID-19
51 Cases Recorded on the 2nd of This Month
On the 3rd, the day of the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test, examinees who finished the exam are leaving the test site set up at Deoksung Girls' High School in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues, with university-specific exams being held over two weeks, all middle and high schools in Seoul will switch to full remote classes for two weeks starting from the 7th. Elementary schools and kindergartens will maintain the current attendance plan with one-third density.
From tomorrow until the 18th, all middle and high schools in Seoul will transition to remote learning. This period is set considering the schedule where about 600,000 examinees nationwide will be traveling to take essay, practical, and interview exams over the next two weeks. However, principals may allow in-person attendance only when time is needed for specialized high school and late general high school entrance exams, as well as for final exams in middle and high schools.
Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, stated, "We understand that the full transition to remote classes brings various difficulties for students, parents, and teachers alike," but added, "We ask for understanding that this is a proactive measure for the health and safety of students, parents, and teachers in the face of the national disaster situation caused by COVID-19."
Kindergartens and elementary schools can have attendance up to one-third density under social distancing level 2, with a maximum of two-thirds attendance allowed. Superintendent Cho mentioned, "Kindergartens have a high care ratio, and the rate of individual activities after dismissal is significantly lower compared to other school levels."
Recent infection trends among students are also concerning. The number of students confirmed positive for COVID-19 has been in double digits consecutively. According to statistics over the past four days, there were 41 cases on the 30th of last month, 40 on the 1st of this month, 51 on the 2nd, and 30 on the 3rd. The daily average of students testing positive for COVID-19 was 40.5. Since the phased return to school began on May 20th until 0:00 on this day, the cumulative number of confirmed student cases has reached 1,468.
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