"Can't Postpone" vs "Catch COVID-19": Students' Controversy Over 'In-Person Classes'

After Resuming In-Person Classes for 12th Graders, Suspected and Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Occur in Incheon, Daegu, etc.
Some Parents Concerned About Expanding In-Person Classes to All Grades
Ministry of Education: "No Delay in Returning to School... Risk Will Be Discussed with Health Authorities"

On the morning of the 20th, students are leaving school following an emergency dismissal at a high school in Namdong-gu, Incheon Metropolitan City. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Juhyung Lim] It has been three days since in-person classes resumed starting with high school seniors on the 20th, but controversy over whether to expand in-person classes to all grades continues unabated.

The government maintains that it is difficult to delay in-person classes any further, but some parents express concerns, citing that the risk of COVID-19 spread has not yet subsided and that school quarantine activities and guidelines are insufficient. Experts suggest that in-person classes should be pursued with consideration of long-term outcomes.

According to the Ministry of Education, on the 20th, in-person classes were held at 2,277 out of 2,363 high schools nationwide, with 420,850 high school seniors attending.

However, some high schools suspended classes due to suspected COVID-19 symptoms or confirmed cases. On that morning alone, the Incheon Office of Education sent students home from 66 schools across five districts: Michuhol-gu, Jung-gu, Dong-gu, Namdong-gu, and Yeonsu-gu.

On the day following the resumption of in-person classes, the 21st, a high school senior admitted to Daegu Agricultural Meister High School tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the closure of the school and continued suspension of in-person classes.

On the afternoon of the 21st, a student is packing up and heading home at Daegu Agricultural Meister High School in Suseong-gu, Daegu. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education stated its intention to proceed with the scheduled reopening of schools. At a briefing of the 'New Semester Opening Preparation Task Force' held at the Government Sejong Complex that afternoon, Deputy Minister Park Baembuk said, "According to Ministry of Education guidelines, postponing in-person classes is not the principle," adding, "We will consult with city and provincial education offices and quarantine authorities regarding the risk of the situation."

The Ministry plans to resume in-person classes for second-year high school students, first and second graders in elementary school, and kindergarteners starting on the 27th. Although COVID-19 cases have occurred among high school seniors who have already started attending in-person classes in places like Incheon and Daegu, the level of infection is considered controllable.

However, some parents and teachers remain deeply concerned. In just this month, over 30 posts opposing the reopening of schools have been uploaded to the Blue House's public petition board.

One petition, which received over 100,000 signatures, stated, "It is practically difficult to supervise students to wear masks at all times, and since public transportation is mainly used when traveling from school to home, if there are confirmed cases, the possibility of COVID-19 spreading in the community is high. It is more appropriate to discuss and implement measures for prolonged online classes rather than rushing to reopen schools."

On the 12th of last month, a military service official disinfected classrooms ahead of the new semester at Munhwa Elementary School in Buk-gu, Gwangju. / Photo by Yonhap News

Another petitioner expressed concern, saying, "I worry whether elementary school students can wear masks all day in cramped classrooms as the weather gets hotter," and requested, "Please allow elementary students to attend school only after the domestic situation stabilizes."

Some also expressed dissatisfaction, saying they were confused about quarantine guidelines, questioning whether air conditioners and fans can be used in classrooms.

Previously, on the 7th, the Ministry of Education recommended that when operating air conditioners in classrooms during summer, at least one-third of the classroom windows should be kept open. However, on the 19th, a day before the high school seniors' reopening, the Ministry backtracked, stating, "There were opinions that the guideline to open windows while running air conditioners is excessive due to electricity costs," and said, "We will revise the air conditioner usage guidelines and announce them again."

A survey conducted by the parents' civic group 'People's Coalition for a Fair Society' from the 18th to the 20th among 1,052 parents nationwide found that 77.4% of respondents opposed reopening schools.

Experts say it is difficult to predict the outcome of the government's current reopening policy but suggest approaching it with a long-term perspective, including discussing quarantine measures suitable for younger students and kindergarteners who are harder to control.

Professor Eom Jung-sik, an infectious disease specialist at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, told Asia Economy on the 22nd, "Some high school seniors have tested positive, leading to school closures and other measures. However, we need to observe a bit longer to see what long-term results this situation will bring."

He added, "More importantly, as younger grades gradually return to school, it may become more difficult for them to adhere to quarantine rules such as wearing masks compared to high school seniors," advising, "It seems necessary to discuss and prepare appropriate measures regarding this."

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