High school seniors in Seoul to go to school daily despite virus concerns

Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon speaks during a press conference in Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap

By Jun Ji-hye

High school seniors in Seoul will be allowed to physically attend school every day from Wednesday, although concerns over the spread of COVID-19 still remain, Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon said Monday.

The education authorities made the decision thinking that a further delay could affect the university entrance or employment plans of the seniors, at a time when the plan to reopen schools has already been delayed several times due to the pandemic.

Cho noted the government will need to further postpone the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) by a month, if the public health crisis persists.

“We have seen a fluid situation involving COVID-19 over the past week,” Cho said “The government must consider all options.”

The national college entrance exam has been postponed to Dec. 3 this year due to the pandemic ― it is usually held in November.

Cho's comments came a day after the Ministry of Education announced that high school seniors nationwide would return to classes on schedule from Wednesday, while those in other grades will return to school gradually over the following weeks.

High school seniors in the capital will physically attend school every day, while, for other grades, schools are advised to choose the most appropriate measure among various options, including letting students attend school once a week, in accordance with the situation facing each school.

Cho added that 1,547 thermal cameras had been installed at 1,366 schools in Seoul for temperature checks of students and teachers. Those with a temperature above 37.5 degree Celsius will not be allowed to attend classes or work at the schools.

“I express my gratitude to teachers and other school personnel for their efforts to brace for the return of students amid the public health crisis,” Cho said.

Despite the government's decision to forge ahead with the plan, some civic groups and parents are still calling for postponing the reopening again. A relevant petition posted on the presidential website has received support from more than 200,000 citizens.

Meanwhile, the KCDC reported 15 new COVID-19 infections, Sunday, bringing the country's total to 11,065, amid clear signs of a slowdown in those linked to Itaewon nightclubs.

KCDC Director Jung Eun-kyeong said in a briefing later in the day that two more cases linked to the nightclubs were reported as of 12 p.m. Monday, bringing the total related cases to 170.

“Of the 170, 89 visited the nightclubs, and the remaining 81 were either family members or acquaintances,” Jung said.

The new wave of infections began after a 29-year-old Korean man tested positive for the coronavirus, May 6, after visiting five nightclubs and bars in Itaewon from the night of May 1 to the early hours of May 2.