"Happy to Meet Friends" Boombin's School Commute... Yoo Eun-hye "Strictly Must Conduct Quarantine Inspections" (Comprehensive)

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 School Hours to Reduce Crowding

Deputy Prime Minister Visits Hanguk Gyeongjin School
"Following Rules is Essential for Children’s School Life"

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee, Intern Reporters Junyi Park and Seungseop Song] On the 19th, the school commute was bustling for the first time in a while. From this day, up to two-thirds of the students in kindergartens, 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 Seoul 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 complied with lining up as they approached the school gates. It was rare to see students without masks on this day. The students lined up in a single file and passed through the gates one by one. Most schools opened two entrances to disperse student density. Temperature checks were conducted either in front of the gates or inside the building.

At the front 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 daily, third and fourth graders three days a week, and fifth and sixth graders two days a week. First grader Jo Eunchae said, "I was bored because I couldn't meet my friends at home, so I'm happy to come to school." Kim Dongtaek, principal of Chungmu Elementary, said, "This allocation plan aims to guarantee learning rights for lower elementary grades while strictly following quarantine rules," adding, "We are also paying close attention to reducing density in class formats."

An elementary school in Dongjak-gu allows first graders to attend school daily, 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 finish arriving 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 eat in their classrooms. The principal said, "It is difficult for the school to take full responsibility for quarantine without support from Seoul city or local governments."

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 at Munbaek Elementary School in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, were sanitizing their hands as they arrived at school. 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, as well as oversized 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 with 'full in-person attendance.' Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Middle schools also expanded attendance from one-third to two-thirds of students. 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 Jinyoung (43), who has a first grader, said, "My child had no concept of school, but I trusted the school because they are thorough with distancing and quarantine." A staff member at an elementary school in Seocho-gu, where first graders attend only twice a week, said, "Many classes are overcrowded with an average of 36 students per class," adding, "More parents preferred attendance dispersion over morning and afternoon splits."

On this day, 12 schools in four cities and provinces nationwide did not conduct in-person classes. By region, there were five in Gyeonggi, four in Gangwon, two in Seoul, and one in Chungnam. The number of schools suspending in-person classes decreased by 15 compared to the 16th, the last day of direct classes.

From May 20, when phased attendance began, until the previous day, the cumulative number of student COVID-19 cases was 641, an increase of six from the previous survey on the 15th. The cumulative number of infected staff was 133, an increase of one.

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 at Munbaek Elementary School in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, were sanitizing their hands as they arrived at school. 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, as well as oversized 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@

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye visited the Korean Gyeongjin School, a special school located in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, to inspect in-person classes and held a meeting with staff and parents, stating, "We must conduct more thorough inspections related to quarantine."

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo said, "As the COVID-19 situation has prolonged, there have been many difficulties such as changes in academic schedules, expansion of remote classes, and thorough quarantine support," adding, "Although support from the Ministry of Education and education offices should have been provided promptly through communication with schools, there were some shortcomings." She urged that quarantine activities be further strengthened as in-person classes expand. She emphasized, "We will prepare more thoroughly to prevent blind spots in COVID-19 quarantine, and if there are deficiencies, the Ministry of Education and education offices will establish a cooperative system to provide swift support," adding, "Awareness, rules, and inspections related to strengthened quarantine must be observed so that children can continue to have stable school lives."

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