Matching College of Education Students with Middle School Students to Bridge Educational Gaps in Vulnerable Groups

1 to 3 Duri Saem Teachers Assigned to Elementary Schools
Utilizing Retired Teachers for Multicultural and Grandparent-Child Families

On May 27, the first day of the second phase of school reopening, third-year students at Yeouido Middle School in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, are attending school. On this day, approximately 2.37 million students nationwide, including second-year high school students, third-year middle school students, first and second graders in elementary school, and kindergarteners, are attending schools and kindergartens across the country. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced measures to minimize educational disparities caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a briefing held on the 19th by Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, starting from the second semester, the office will match students from teacher training colleges in Seoul with vulnerable middle school students in need of educational support on a one-to-one basis. The teacher training college students will assist with learning tasks, guide the use of smart devices, and provide support for real-time interactive platforms either face-to-face or remotely.

In elementary schools, 'Elementary Basic Academic Support Durisaem' will be assigned 1 to 3 per school to support lower-grade and basic academic support students. Based on school demand surveys, from September, Durisaem will be responsible for up to 10 students. They will assist students comprehensively during remote learning days by checking attendance, encouraging participation, helping with smart device and platform usage, and monitoring remote class completion status. Currently, out of 562 public elementary schools in Seoul, 283 have applied.

Retired teachers will also be mobilized to help elementary students' learning. The 'Korean Primer Education Support Group' will assist first graders who are not yet familiar with Hangul, and the 'Basic Academic Class Education Support Group' will teach second graders who are slow at arithmetic and also handle character education and counseling guidance. An 'Online Learning Education Support Group' will be formed to visit multicultural, grandparent-headed, and single-parent families to check for any educational difficulties.

Additionally, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will provide immediately usable remote learning content for each school level from kindergarten to high school and offer various instructional videos to promote interactive classes.

Superintendent Cho stated, "We plan to provide meticulous support on the ground to ensure that all Seoul students have equal opportunities for growth."

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