The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Mon, May 23, 2022 | 11:22
Education
Korea again pushes back new school year on virus fears
Posted : 2020-03-17 14:22
Updated : 2020-03-17 16:49
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Workers wearing protective gears disinfect as a precaution against the new coronavirus at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Tuesday, March 17, 2020. AP
Workers wearing protective gears disinfect as a precaution against the new coronavirus at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Tuesday, March 17, 2020. AP

South Korea said Tuesday it will be postponing the new school year for another two weeks as it fights COVID-19 group infections that have occurred at churches, hospitals and even Zumba classes.


Under the measure, the new school year at kindergartens and elementary, middle and high schools nationwide will begin on April 6, five weeks later than in normal years, according to the education ministry.

Child care centers, which provide care for toddlers and children up to 7 years old, will also close for another two weeks and open April 6, the health ministry said.

"The government judges that while the COVID-19 (outbreak) has entered a downtrend, it is early to let down our guard. It aims to again encourage people to actively take part in 'social distancing' with the school year postponement," the ministry said in a press release.

The ministry also cited feedback from experts and health authorities that raised concerns over infections at schools spilling over to households and other areas of society. It will take at least two to three weeks to see whether schools can safely open, they said.

Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae, however, left room for another rescheduling.

"In the worst case scenario, we may have to again postpone the beginning of the new school year, but (the schedule) may also move forward when the situation gets better."

This is the third time the government has postponed the school year as part of anti-virus measures. It was first postponed by a week to March 9, then by two weeks to March 23 on concerns of children contracting the new coronavirus at schools.

The government said it will have to further review the idea of delaying the national college entrance exam. The exam, a key event in high schools here, usually takes place in November.

The latest measure comes amid growing concerns over group transmissions, which account for around 80 percent of all infections reported in South Korea.

While some parents have opposed the rescheduling, citing lack of child care programs and confusion in academic schedules, more parents are calling for further closure until the virus risk passes.

The ministry said it plans to distribute updated guidelines on school quarantine measures and ensure a safe school environment, such as increasing the distance between desks in classrooms, staggering lunch hours and making hand sanitizer and masks available.

To prevent a learning vacuum, the ministry said it plans to expand online classes and provide computers and other hardware to create a stable online education environment for all students.

For parents who cannot look after their children, the ministry said it will continue to provide emergency child care programs at kindergartens and elementary schools until 7 p.m. on weekdays.

The government also urged private-sector education institutions to take part in the anti-virus fight, saying the it will push for other measures if the current situation continues.

Despite concerns over group transmissions among students, many cram schools are still running due to financial reasons or demand among some parents.

Major institutions in Seoul resumed classes on Monday, while the city education office's data showed that more than 80 percent of the cram schools in the affluent Gangnam area are in operation.

South Korea has so far reported 8,320 cases, with the number of new cases falling below 100 for three straight days. (Yonhap)

 
  • Traditional Korean food served at state dinner for U.S. president
  • Yoon, Biden reaffirm stronger alliance, NK deterrence at key air base
  • Lotte, Shinsegae to compete in NFT market
  • Yoon acknowledges need for gender equality after query by US reporter
  • Dragons in the Palace
  • Hyundai to invest $5 bil. in US for robotics, autonomous driving development
  • US not considering adding South Korea to Quad: official
  • Yoon-Biden summit tips Korea's economic axis toward US
  • WHO expects more cases of monkeypox to emerge globally
  • Biden calls Moon 'good friend' in phone conversation: Moon's aide
  • Korean remakes, romance series to hit small screen in June Korean remakes, romance series to hit small screen in June
  • 'Cyber Hell' director tells of disturbing 'Nth room' crime 'Cyber Hell' director tells of disturbing 'Nth room' crime
  • 'The Roundup' surpasses 2 million viewers within 4 days of release 'The Roundup' surpasses 2 million viewers within 4 days of release
  • Why does it take so long for K-pop group members to go solo? Why does it take so long for K-pop group members to go solo?
  • Kim Hee-sun to return to big screen after 19 years Kim Hee-sun to return to big screen after 19 years
DARKROOM
  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

  • End of mask mandates

    End of mask mandates

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group