High School Seniors' Return to School on the 11th, 13th, or 18th? ... Final Deliberations Underway

Ministry of Education to Announce Afternoon Schedule Today

On the 4th, students are taking the June mock exam in preparation for the College Scholastic Ability Test at Yeouido Girls' High School in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Ministry of Education is in the final stages of deliberation over the reopening date for third-year high school students. Initially, May 11 was strongly considered, but reflecting voices from the field that more preparation time is needed, they are considering setting it to May 13.

If this happens, the nationwide joint academic assessment scheduled for May 12 is likely to be postponed until after school reopens. If more emphasis is placed on preventing the spread of COVID-19, there is also the possibility of reopening all first- and second-year high school students together on May 18.

According to education circles on the 4th, the government is expected to announce the schedule and method for reopening elementary, middle, and high schools at 4 p.m. that day, and it is reported that they are strongly considering implementing high school students’ return to school two weeks after the end of the Golden Holiday, on May 18.

Reopening will also begin sequentially from higher grades, similar to remote classes. For grades facing entrance exams, such as third-year middle school and third-year high school students, options under consideration include reopening first on May 11 or 13, or including them in the unified reopening on May 18.

For third-year high school students, the May mock exam scheduled for May 12 and the midterm exams at the end of May must also be taken into account. If third-year high school students return on May 11, unlike the March academic assessment which was taken at home, the May nationwide joint academic assessment can be conducted as a nationwide mock exam. However, if the date is set to May 13 or 18, the academic assessment schedule may be postponed by several days.

There are also claims that younger elementary school students, such as children of working parents or those from grandparent-headed households who find remote learning difficult, should return to school quickly. However, the government is reported to be giving more weight to opinions that caution against rushing, considering cases like Singapore where confirmed cases surged after reopening. For elementary schools, even if in-person classes resume, the reopening schedule for lower and upper grades may differ, or online remote classes may be conducted concurrently for the time being. Even if students return to school, options such as postponing school meals and sending students home early are being considered.

The Ministry of Education will also announce the reopening status of kindergartens along with the school reopening schedule that day. Unlike elementary, middle, and high schools which started the new semester online, kindergartens have had their reopening postponed for more than two months.

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