Ministry of Education Discusses Inter-Ministerial Support Measures for School Quarantine Ahead of In-Person School Opening

Discussion on In-School Infectious Disease Prevention Measures for Upcoming School Attendance
Distribution of Hand Sanitizers, Masks, Thermometers, etc. by School
Safety Inspection in Children's Protection Zones

Eun-Hye Yoo, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education / Photo by Dong-Joo Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] In preparation for the reopening of schools, the government discussed comprehensive inter-ministerial support measures to create a safe educational environment, including school quarantine, hygiene management, and safety on the way to and from school.

The Ministry of Education announced on the 11th that it held the 5th Social Relations Ministers' Meeting at the Government Seoul Office.

At this meeting, in connection with the transition to social distancing in daily life, it was planned to reopen kindergartens, elementary, middle, high, and special schools nationwide, and focused discussions were held on measures to prevent infectious diseases within schools.

Before the reopening, all schools will conduct disinfection, and after reopening, places frequently touched such as door handles and desks will be disinfected at least once a day. Additionally, each school will distribute quarantine supplies such as hand sanitizers, masks, and thermometers, and if a patient occurs within the school, attendance will be suspended and a rapid response system will be established through cooperation between public health centers and local governments.

When students come to school, pedestrian paths that allow students to travel safely will be secured, and traffic safety facilities will be installed in child protection zones to create a safe route to and from school. The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, along with related agencies, will investigate the safety status around school routes and promote improvement projects such as sidewalk installation and expansion, and relocation of utility poles.

The next agenda item involves setting four major youth policy strategies jointly by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and related ministries. It includes activating the 'Youth Participation Portal' to enable easy participation in policies by youth and building facility environments such as digitalizing youth facilities.

As a written agenda, there is a plan to institutionalize a system that activates the Non-Assistance Adjustment Committee for repeated complaints to undergo a three-step review process. It also includes creating a complaint environment where civil servants can be protected from illegal acts such as verbal abuse and assault, and support measures to relieve emotional labor stress.

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