After Elementary, Middle, and High School Reopen, Remote Classes Also Recognized as Regular Classes... "Must Match Unit Class Hours"

Minimizing Learning Gaps Amid COVID-19
Ministry of Education Prepares 'Remote Class Operation Guidelines' for City and Provincial Offices of Education

Ensure Learning Amount Equivalent to Unit Class Time
Customized Individual Learning Support for Students with Disabilities and Grades 1-2

Deputy Prime Minister: "Blended Learning Combining Online and Offline Classes Will Expand"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] As the possibility of reopening elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide on April 6 remains uncertain, the Ministry of Education is preparing for the worst-case scenario by issuing guidelines for remote classes (online lectures). The plan is to proceed with the scheduled reopening but conduct classes online (remote classes) and recognize them as regular classes. The remaining challenge is how to address the varying acceptance of remote classes among schools and students and other conditions.

On the 27th, the Ministry of Education announced that it had prepared and distributed the "Remote Class Operation Guidelines" to each metropolitan and provincial office of education in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The guidelines establish the basic principles regarding the concept of remote classes, class operation principles, school planning, and management.

First, the Ministry decided to recognize remote classes as equivalent to regular classes in terms of the number of school days and hours. This is the first time such a case has occurred. The method of remote classes may vary depending on the conditions of the school and students. In addition to real-time interactive classes, content-centered classes, and assignment-based classes, various classes recognized by the superintendent or school principal can be operated. In this case, schools must secure an appropriate amount of learning equivalent to the "unit class time (40, 45, and 50 minutes for elementary, middle, and high school, respectively)" and ensure that no learning gaps occur.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye announced on the 17th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, the third delay plan for the nationwide reopening of kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools. The government announced that the reopening of kindergartens and elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide will be postponed for an additional two weeks, from the 23rd of this month to the 6th of next month. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Attendance can be processed in real-time or after class, depending on the school's circumstances. Learning management systems, text messages, and phone calls can also be used, and if confirmed afterward, learning result reports or parental confirmation forms can be submitted remotely. For students who have difficulty participating in remote classes, such as students with disabilities and first and second graders in elementary school, customized support should be provided to enable individual learning, and measures to improve classes through parental consultations should also be prepared.

The Ministry of Education and metropolitan and provincial offices of education provide guidelines and manuals for operating remote classes and assist participation through the one-on-one remote support service "GyosaOn (溫)." Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye stated, "We will use this remote class opportunity to cultivate students' self-directed learning abilities and support our education to take a step forward into future education by expanding blended learning that combines online and offline classes."

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