No Recommended Volunteer Hours Set for Seoul This Year Either

Policy Maintained Since June Last Year Considering Infectious Disease Spread
Volunteer Hours Not Reflected in Next Year's High School Admissions Like This Year

Comparison of Annual Student Volunteer Hours Before and After Change by Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (Source: Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education)

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has decided not to reflect student volunteer hours in next year's high school admissions process, considering the spread of infectious diseases. The plan to eliminate individually planned volunteer hours and operate only the recommended hours designated by the school principal will be maintained this year as well.

On the 25th, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced that it will continue the policy of abolishing the recommended student volunteer hours, which was introduced in June last year. Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), individual planned volunteer hours were removed to reduce the burden on students. Instead, volunteer hours planned by the school are autonomously decided by the school principal after deliberation by the 'School Volunteer Activity Promotion Committee.'

The recommended student volunteer hours are calculated by combining volunteer hours planned by the school and those planned individually. Volunteer hours planned by the school refer to activities organized as part of creative experiential activities. Since social distancing continues this year, the Office of Education has decided to temporarily extend the policy of abolishing recommended volunteer hours to minimize students' health risks and community infections.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education decided not to reflect the 2021 student volunteer hours in the high school admissions percentile ranking calculation. School principals can determine the recommended volunteer hours by comprehensively considering the characteristics of the school and community as well as student needs. They are to organize the four areas of creative experiential activities evenly and ensure meaningful volunteer activities. Although there is no recommended volunteer hour standard for individually planned activities, students may volunteer with school approval only if safety is guaranteed and they wish to do so.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education explained, "In 2021 as well, face-to-face volunteer programs have not been established, and it is difficult for students to find institutions where they can volunteer individually. Through this policy, we hope to reduce the burden of volunteer activities on students," adding, "We plan to actively cooperate with related organizations to diversify student volunteer programs based on school education plans."

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