"Rather Postponed" Persistent Spread Three Days Before Suneung... Examinees Sigh

Students Concerned About COVID-19 Infection on Suneung Day Amid Surge in Cases
Criticism Over Lack of Student Input in Suneung Quarantine Measures
Experts Urge Strict Quarantine to Ensure Safety of Students and Supervisors

On the morning of the 18th, when the final academic assessment for Daegu area examinees was conducted ahead of the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test (December 3), students were taking the exam in a third-year classroom at Daegu Jungang High School. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] With only three days left until the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), anxiety among test-takers is growing as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) shows no signs of slowing down. The daily average number of confirmed cases exceeds 400, and infections continue to surge through various channels, leading test-takers to express concerns about whether they will be able to take the exam properly. Consequently, there are calls to postpone the CSAT altogether for safety reasons.

The education authorities have implemented additional quarantine measures, such as conducting diagnostic tests for test-takers the day before the CSAT, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 around the exam period. Experts suggest that thorough quarantine efforts are necessary to alleviate the anxiety of test-takers.

According to admissions communities like 'Sumanhwi' (Let's Wave the Perfect Score Test Papers on CSAT Day) and 'Orbi,' test-takers are voicing concerns such as "There are only three days left until the CSAT, but the number of confirmed cases is too high, making me anxious," "I don't know if I can take the exam properly," and "Please postpone the CSAT even now."

There are criticisms that proceeding with the CSAT amid the possibility of taking the exam alongside asymptomatic infected individuals is unreasonable.

One test-taker said, "The main purpose of postponing the CSAT is not to delay it indefinitely until the pandemic ends, but to establish measures to minimize damage even if some harm occurs," adding, "The current CSAT quarantine measures announced by the Ministry of Education include only ineffective actions such as reducing the number of people in the exam room by four, installing partitions, ventilating during lunch while eating, and preparing separate exam rooms for those in self-quarantine or confirmed cases." They continued, "As a high school senior who has been preparing solely for the CSAT, I hope the exam can be held after at least a 1-2 week extension and an elevation of social distancing, reflecting students' opinions actively once the situation improves."

There are also concerns that confirmed cases may surge after the exam. Another test-taker expressed, "I am worried not only about the exam day but also because aptitude tests, essay tests, and interviews remain after the CSAT, increasing the chance of contracting COVID-19," adding, "People infected at the CSAT venue might spread the virus while going to essay or interview tests." They further said, "If I get infected and quarantined, I would automatically fail the interview. Thinking about the terrible situation of being harmed because a confirmed case is sitting next to me during the CSAT is horrifying."

On the 20th, a petition titled "The College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) Must Be Postponed" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. Photo by Blue House National Petition Website Capture

Recently, a petition titled 'The CSAT must be postponed' was also posted on the Blue House National Petition Board.

The petitioner stated, "The government is pushing students into the most vulnerable places for COVID-19. No matter how much quarantine and caution are enforced, it is impossible to control all students," and urged, "At least a two-week delay is necessary to observe the situation. Is this country more concerned about academics than students' health? I strongly demand the postponement of the CSAT." As of 9 a.m. on the 30th, the petition had received 5,531 signatures.

Earlier, the government designated the 15 days from the 19th until the CSAT day as a 'CSAT Special Quarantine' period and intensified inspections.

Additionally, the Ministry of Education recently announced its stance to prevent group infections at test sites through quarantine measures such as mandatory mask-wearing, desk partitions, and temperature checks.

In particular, on the day before the CSAT, test-takers showing suspicious symptoms will be required to get tested for COVID-19 only at public health centers, with plans to ensure they receive results on the same day.

On the afternoon of the 26th, special quarantine measures against the novel coronavirus infection are being implemented at a test site in downtown Daegu where the College Scholastic Ability Test is scheduled to take place. Photo by Yonhap News

However, there are criticisms that these government measures lack effectiveness. It is pointed out that the opinions of the students, who are the main parties involved in the CSAT quarantine measures, were not heard.

Students expressed strong concerns about proceeding with the CSAT, noting that maintaining social distancing during breaks or lunch is difficult, and ventilation for long periods is challenging due to cold weather.

Moreover, anxiety has increased as confirmed cases have emerged at private academies in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, and Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. According to Gangnam-gu on the 28th, one student attending a private academy in Daechi-dong tested positive for COVID-19 on the 27th.

This student is known to be scheduled to take the upcoming CSAT. According to quarantine authorities, the student was classified as a close contact after a family member tested positive on the 26th. The class the student attended ended on the 26th. Health authorities are conducting epidemiological investigations and have designated 85 students and 3 instructors at the academy as subjects for COVID-19 testing. The academy has advised students not to attend on the 28th and to study at home.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Following Gangnam-gu, confirmed cases have also occurred in the academy district of Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu. The infection route is linked to an aerobics academy in Gangseo-gu. It was found that one child of a confirmed case related to the aerobics academy attended an academy in Mok-dong. This child also tested positive.

On the other hand, there are views that even if the CSAT is postponed, the spread of COVID-19 will not subside, and that postponing the CSAT would bring no practical benefit. Postponing the CSAT is practically difficult, and the number of confirmed cases could surge after the postponement, ultimately depriving test-takers of their opportunity to take the exam.

Experts expressed concerns about the situation on the CSAT day but suggested that if quarantine efforts are strengthened, the exam can be taken safely.

Professor Kim Wooju of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "The CSAT has been postponed several times due to COVID-19, so test-takers are sensitive," adding, "As the COVID-19 situation continues to worsen, thorough quarantine and environment preparation are necessary for both students and supervisors to safely conduct the exam."

He added, "I hope that essential quarantine rules such as mandatory mask-wearing, prohibition of conversation, social distancing, and ventilation are observed so that test-takers can safely take the CSAT."

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