Deadline for Class Postponement Approaches
Resumption to Secure Class Hours
Alliance Leave of Absence and Even Online Classes
Amid medical students' refusal to attend classes in protest against the 'increase in medical school quotas,' about 30 medical schools that had postponed classes since February are resuming classes.
According to the Ministry of Education on the 8th, a total of 31 medical schools are identified to resume classes starting this month.
From this day, Jeonbuk National University and Kyungpook National University decided to resume classes respectively. Earlier, on the 4th, 12 schools including ▲Gachon University ▲Korea University ▲Dongguk University branch ▲Seoul National University ▲Yonsei University ▲Yeungnam University ▲Inje University ▲Jeju National University ▲Chungnam National University ▲Chungbuk National University ▲Hallym University ▲Hanyang University reopened their classes.
From the 15th, 17 more schools will additionally resume classes. These include ▲Catholic Kwandong University ▲Catholic University ▲Konkuk University branch ▲Konyang University ▲Gyeongsang National University ▲Kosin University ▲Dankook University (Cheonan) ▲Dong-A University ▲Pusan National University ▲Sungkyunkwan University ▲Yonsei University branch ▲Ulsan University ▲Wonkwang University ▲Ewha Womans University ▲Chonnam National University ▲Chosun University ▲CHA University of Medicine.
Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs at the Presidential Office, held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon and evaluated that medical school classes, which had faced some disruptions following the government's announcement of medical school quota increases, are gradually showing signs of normalization.
Students are entering a medical school in Seoul on the 20th, the day the results of the increased medical school admission quota distribution, which sparked conflict between the medical community and the government, are being announced. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
Secretary Jang said, "As of today, the number of medical schools operating classes has increased to 14, meaning 35% of the total are conducting classes," adding, "Starting next week on the 15th, Pusan National University, Chonnam National University, Konyang University, Dankook University, and others are fully preparing to normalize classes."
Universities had postponed classes to prevent students from failing, but as the deadline to meet the legally mandated number of class days approaches, they appear to have decided to resume classes. The Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act stipulates that school class days must be 'at least 30 weeks per academic year,' so typically, more than 15 weeks of classes per semester must be secured. Moreover, further delaying the resumption of classes could disrupt the academic schedule for the second semester starting in August.
Although universities are resuming classes, the possibility of medical students returning to school remains uncertain. Medical student organizations such as the Korean Association of Medical Students and Medical Graduate Students have expressed their intention to request approval for leave of absence, and if not approved, they are prepared to pursue administrative litigation. Many universities have confirmed that they are conducting both in-person and online classes to accommodate students who find it difficult to attend classes.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
