Cho Hee-yeon "Postpone High School Seniors' Return to School and Reassess Attendance on the 20th" (Full Text)

COVID-19 Cases Surge in Itaewon, Raising Concerns of a Resurgence
Reevaluation on the 5th After 2-Week Incubation Period
If School Attendance Decision Is Maintained, Broader Attendance Forms Should Be Recognized

Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, is explaining the 'Seoul-type Student Food Package' project, which provides eco-friendly agricultural products and various ingredients to all students in Seoul, at the Seoul City Hall briefing room on the 7th. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, announced that the in-person classes for 3rd-year high school students will be postponed by one week, and the final decision on whether to attend school on the 20th will be discussed.

On the same day, Superintendent Cho posted on his Facebook account, "Due to the recent sharp increase in confirmed cases related to Itaewon clubs, there is a possibility that the COVID-19 situation could spread significantly again," and said, "I have decided to propose a sequential postponement of in-person classes."

Superintendent Cho stated, "If the current trend continues, I believe it is necessary to reconsider the schedule for in-person classes," and added, "First, the attendance of 3rd-year high school students scheduled for the 13th should be postponed, and after monitoring the trend of confirmed cases, a final decision should be made." In other words, after completing strong social distancing on the 5th and waiting for the two-week incubation period, the decision on whether to return to school will be made again on the 20th. He further added, "If necessary, a comprehensive review of the entire in-person class schedule is required," and said, "I will propose this to the government."

He also hinted at opinions regarding the choice of attending school. Superintendent Cho emphasized, "Even if the government maintains the decision to attend school, the decision should be made in a way that recognizes greater diversity than currently in attendance forms and curriculum operation, considering the fluidity of COVID-19 spread."

Below is the full text of the post uploaded on Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon's Facebook account.

[Request to postpone 3rd-year high school in-person classes by one week and make a final decision considering the seriousness of COVID-19 spread]

We must temporarily postpone the in-person classes that were about to begin. This is because we cannot expose our children to risk while the threat of community infection still remains. I ask respected parents, our Seoul education family, and all citizens to unite a little more.

The sequential attendance schedule announced by the Ministry of Education on May 4 was designed on the premise of easing the COVID-19 crisis from the serious stage and transitioning to 'everyday life quarantine.' The follow-up measures to be announced today by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education were also established based on this premise. However, due to the recent surge in confirmed cases related to Itaewon clubs, there is a possibility that the COVID-19 situation could spread significantly again.

In this regard, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has decided to postpone today's scheduled announcement of in-person class measures, observe the trend of COVID-19 resurgence and changes in government guidelines, and propose a sequential postponement of in-person classes.

During the process of creating follow-up measures, we have listened to a wide range of opinions from school members including teachers and parents. There were demands for various supplementary measures related to attending school. We place 'health' and 'life safety' at the center of these measures. Many agreed that students' safety is a more important value than the 'amount of classes.' Our children should be protected not at the forefront of quarantine but at the rearmost line.

In this regard, if the current trend of concerns about COVID-19 resurgence continues, I believe it is necessary to reconsider the schedule for in-person classes. First, the attendance of 3rd-year high school students scheduled for May 13 should be postponed, and after monitoring the trend of confirmed cases, a final decision should be made. The decision on whether to return to school should be made again on May 20, two weeks after the strong social distancing ended on May 5, which corresponds to the incubation period.

Next, while monitoring the situation, if necessary, I believe a comprehensive review of the entire in-person class schedule is required, and I intend to propose this to the government. Even if the government maintains the decision to attend school, considering the fluidity of COVID-19 spread, decisions should be made in a way that recognizes greater diversity than currently in attendance forms and curriculum operation.

I deeply appreciate the warm care of parents who have provided unwavering support and encouragement so that children can study and live healthily at home for a long time. I also thank the teachers and staff who have worked hard and devoted themselves to the smooth operation of remote classes and preparation for in-person classes even during the national disaster situation.

Our Office of Education will do its best as the center to overcome the current crisis for the safety and health of our students, who are our future. Thank you.

Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education

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