"Happy to Meet Friends" Boombin's Commute... Efforts to Reduce Classroom Density

Nationwide Expansion of School Attendance to Two-Thirds for Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and High Schools

Daily Attendance Allowed for 1st Grade Elementary Students
Mandatory Temperature Checks and Hand Sanitizing at School Gates
Adjusting Attendance Times to Reduce Crowding

On the 19th, when in-person classes for kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide were expanded following the adjustment to Level 1 social distancing, children were attending school at Munbaek Elementary School in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul. According to the education sector, from this day forward, the number of students attending school in all regions nationwide will be increased to two-thirds capacity. Schools in the metropolitan area, large schools, and overcrowded classes must comply with this standard, but non-metropolitan areas are allowed to adjust density according to their circumstances, making it possible for all students to attend school every day in a "full in-person attendance" system. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee, Intern Reporters Junyi Park and Seungseop Song] On the 19th, the school front streets were bustling after a long time. From this day, up to two-thirds of the students in kindergartens and elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide were allowed to attend school. This measure follows the easing of social distancing to Level 1, and even in the metropolitan area where strict limits were imposed, first graders in elementary school are permitted to attend school every day.

Students who had been gathering in groups near the school lined up in a single file as they approached the school gates. It was rare to see students without masks on that day. The students lined up one by one and passed through the gates in order. Most schools opened two entrances to disperse the density of students. Temperature checks were conducted either in front of the gates or inside the buildings.

In front of the main gate of Chungmu Elementary School in Jung-gu, Seoul, temperature checks for staff were conducted before students started arriving at 8:30 a.m. This school decided that first and second graders would attend school every day, third and fourth graders three days a week, and fifth and sixth graders two days a week. First grader Jo Eun-chae said, "I was bored because I couldn't meet my friends at home, so I'm happy to come to school." Kim Dong-taek, principal of Chungmu Elementary, said, "This allocation plan aims to guarantee learning rights for lower elementary grades while strictly adhering to quarantine rules," adding, "We are also paying close attention to the class formats to reduce density as much as possible."

At an elementary school in Dongjak-gu, first graders attend school every day, while other grades attend three days a week on a rotating basis. Although the class size does not exceed the overcrowding standard of 30 students, the average class size is about 28, raising concerns about quarantine. Due to the eased measures, about 1,000 students attend school daily, so the school adjusted attendance times to control density. Upper grades must arrive by 8:50 a.m., middle grades by 9:00 a.m., and lower grades by 9:10 a.m. The cafeteria is used only by first graders, while other grades have lunch in their classrooms. The principal said, "It is difficult for the school to take full responsibility for quarantine without support from the Seoul city government or local authorities."

On the 19th, when in-person classes for kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide were expanded following the adjustment to Level 1 social distancing, a homeroom teacher was measuring the temperatures of students arriving at Munbaek Elementary School in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul. According to the education sector, from this day forward, the number of students attending school in all regions nationwide will be increased to two-thirds capacity. Schools in the metropolitan area and overcrowded schools or classes must adhere to this standard, but non-metropolitan areas are allowed to adjust density according to their circumstances, making it possible for all students to attend school every day with 'full in-person attendance.' Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The number of middle school students attending school also increased from one-third to two-thirds. At a middle school in Jung-gu, four teachers checked temperatures and mask-wearing status at the school gate. Although there is a temperature check device inside the school, this was to prepare for the increased number of students.

Most parents welcomed the expanded attendance but still expressed concerns about quarantine. Choi Jin-young (43), who has a first grader, said, "My child had no concept of school yet, but I trusted the school because they are thoroughly implementing distancing and quarantine measures." A staff member at an elementary school in Seocho-gu, where first graders attend school only twice a week, said, "Many classes are overcrowded with an average of 36 students per class," adding, "More parents chose attendance dispersion rather than splitting classes into morning and afternoon sessions."

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