[Q&A] "From Next Week, Schools Must Be Contacted Daily About Students' Health Status"

Ministry of Education Distributes Management Guidelines for School Opening Preparation
COVID-19 Officers Designated... Surgical and Health Masks Stocked

Personal Information Protection Act Makes It Difficult to Disclose Confirmed Staff and Students
563 Confirmed Cases Under Age 19

Still Premature to Decide on School Opening on Next Month 6
College Entrance Schedule to Be Announced Once Opening Date Is Confirmed

From Next Week, Students Must Report Condition via Health Questionnaire
Symptomatic, Self-Quarantined, and Confirmed Cases Treated as Sick Leave Attendance

Park Baek-beom, Vice Minister of Education

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The Ministry of Education has prepared guidelines for managing the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) to prepare for the start of the school year at kindergartens, elementary, middle, high schools, and special schools nationwide, and will distribute them to schools across the country.

On the 24th, Park Baek-beom, Vice Minister of Education, held a briefing at the Government Sejong Complex and stated, "Each school must designate a COVID-19 officer and establish an emergency contact system with public health centers and screening clinics," adding, "A designated area for suspected cases should be prepared within the school."

Each school is to prepare at least two cloth masks per person, while the Ministry of Education plans to secure health masks (KF80) that can be used in case of confirmed or symptomatic cases, allocating up to two masks per student. Even after the school year begins, families must check the health status of students before attending school, and if symptoms are suspected, attendance should be stopped and the student should be observed at home for 3 to 4 days. If a confirmed case occurs, in consultation with health authorities, attendance suspension for 14 days may be implemented for the class, grade, or entire school.

Below is a Q&A with Vice Minister Park.

= How many confirmed cases of students and staff have been identified so far, and will the two-week quarantine period end before the school year starts? Are there any related discussions?

▲ According to official data announced by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, the number of confirmed cases under 19 years old is 563. Measures such as dividing classrooms or reducing the number of students per class cannot be implemented immediately, so we will maximize distancing between students, adjust school start times, and stagger break and meal times to minimize contact among students.

= Why are the numbers and names of confirmed staff and students not disclosed?

▲ The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency holds nationwide statistics by region and age group. If they provide data, cross-verification is possible, but due to privacy protection, this is not done. Also, since schools are currently closed, proper reporting is not occurring. Once schools reopen, reasons for absences will be investigated, allowing accurate information to be obtained.

= Is the April 6 school opening date confirmed?

▲ Given the current situation, opening on March 30 seems difficult. Whether schools can open on April 6 or later is still uncertain. It is too early to make a definitive decision about the April 6 opening.

Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

= How is management of out-of-school youth handled?

▲ We have consulted with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. They are also identifying confirmed cases and preparing countermeasures. I understand that plans will be announced at the upcoming Social Relations Ministers' Meeting. We ask for your understanding as inter-ministerial consultations are ongoing.

= There are discussions about postponing the college entrance exam schedule. What is the Ministry of Education's official stance?

▲ The college entrance exam schedule can only be announced once the school opening date is decided. Discussions about postponement by one or two weeks cannot be made without a confirmed school start date. Once the opening date is set, the exam schedule will be announced simultaneously.

= Temporary operation restrictions for academies have been pursued in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Jeonbuk. What about other regions? How are the Ministry of Education and local education offices monitoring this?

▲ Discussions are ongoing beyond the three metropolitan areas. Inspections are conducted jointly by education office and Ministry of Education staff along with local government officials. If violations are found, administrative orders will be issued to prohibit mass gatherings, fines will be imposed, and if confirmed cases occur, claims for damages will be pursued.

= From one week before school starts, must students report their health status to the school daily?

▲ Starting next week, even during school closures, a kind of health questionnaire form has been created and distributed so that students can report their health status daily to their homeroom teachers. The questionnaire can be submitted via social network services (SNS) or online access, and this will continue after school reopens.

= If a student is isolated due to COVID-19 symptoms or confirmation, will their attendance be counted?

▲ It will be recognized as an excused absence due to illness.

= How much consideration has been given to implementing a two-shift system (morning and afternoon) or alternate day attendance?

▲ It is realistically difficult. Due to classes, meals, before-school care, and after-school programs, it is hard for the Ministry of Education to set uniform standards. Schools may implement such measures if feasible according to their circumstances.

= Must masks be worn during class, and what about during breaks?

▲ Generally, students are encouraged to bring and wear masks or cloth masks during class. If the alert level drops below the current stage, mask-wearing will be left to the discretion of schools or education offices. Student movement paths can be autonomously decided by schools, but guidance has been given to separate class times or meal times by grade or class.

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