Gwangju Office of Education Delays Opening of Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and High Schools by 2 More Weeks

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education announced on the 2nd that, following the Ministry of Education's decision, the start of the school term for kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high schools will be postponed to the 23rd.

The school opening, which was previously delayed by one week, will be postponed for an additional two weeks to minimize external contact and movement of students and staff, as a preemptive measure to block the risk of COVID-19 infection and transmission to families and local communities.

With the postponement of the school term, kindergartens and elementary schools will provide additional emergency care support after conducting demand surveys.

To provide care in a safe environment, quarantine measures will be completed, and hygiene supplies such as masks will be stocked. Additionally, twice-daily temperature checks will be conducted during the care period.

Support for student learning and guidance on daily life will be strengthened to minimize learning gaps for students.

During the first week of this month, homeroom teachers and class assignments will be completed, and autonomous online content such as digital textbooks, e-Hakseupter, EBS, and Edunet will be provided.

In weeks 2 to 3, each school will establish an online learning support plan, open online class chat rooms, and provide preview assignments and learning feedback. Students will also be able to preview textbooks online, including video materials and evaluation questions.

As a student life guidance measure, homeroom teachers will open and operate SNS group chat rooms.

Through class group chat rooms, guidance on infectious disease prevention and personal hygiene for individual students will be conducted, and real-time individual counseling will be provided if necessary. Requests will also be made to refrain from using multi-use facilities such as PC rooms.

During the closure period, thorough safety measures for students will be ensured, including disinfection and cleaning of school facilities and securing quarantine supplies.

With the extension of the school term for kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high schools, additional closure extensions for private academies will be recommended considering academic schedules, and the ban on opening school sports facilities will be extended until the 22nd.

Superintendent Jang Hwiguuk said, “Although concerns about the spread of COVID-19 are high, prevention is possible if everyone gathers strength and wisdom. The Metropolitan Office of Education will prioritize the safety of children above all else and protect our children's health rights and learning rights through proactive prevention.”

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