Jeonnam Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and High Schools Decide to Extend School Opening by 2 More Weeks

Superintendent Jang Seok-woong visited schools operating emergency care services to encourage the staff. (Photo by Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education has decided to extend the opening ceremonies of kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools in Jeonnam Province by an additional two weeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

According to the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education on the 2nd, as the Ministry of Education postponed the opening of kindergartens and elementary, middle, and high schools by two more weeks, all schools in the Jeonnam area also postponed their opening ceremonies to the 23rd.

The Ministry of Education, to block the spread of COVID-19, held an emergency video conference with superintendents of education from each city and province around 11 a.m. that day to discuss the nationwide extension of the opening of kindergartens and elementary, middle, and high schools, resulting in the decision to postpone the opening ceremonies by an additional two weeks.

Accordingly, the Provincial Office of Education also postponed the opening to the 23rd and plans to resolve the shortage of school days caused by the delay by shortening the vacation period.

To alleviate difficulties faced by dual-income families caused by the postponement, the Provincial Office of Education conducted a demand survey targeting all grades of elementary schools including new students and kindergarten children, and will operate emergency care during the closure period from that day only for those who wish to participate.

According to the demand survey results, among 495 kindergartens, 281 kindergartens, accounting for 56.8%, participated and will provide emergency care to 2,855 children. In the case of elementary schools, emergency care will be operated for 3,255 students at 279 schools, which is 65% of the 429 schools.

Superintendent Jang Seok-woong said, “The safety of students and staff is the top priority in this situation, but we cannot neglect measures for families who need childcare,” and added, “Please do your best to ensure that care is provided in an environment where safety is guaranteed under any circumstances.”

The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education conducted full disinfection and quarantine of care operation spaces to block the spread of COVID-19, and established perfect health management measures such as checking body temperature more than twice during care hours so that children can live in a safe environment.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.