Cooperative Classes for 1st and 2nd Graders in Seoul Elementary Schools Start in March... Recruiting Cooperative Teachers

Priority Use of Retired Teachers, Education University, and College of Education Students
Customized Support for Students with Learning Difficulties
Up to 14 Hours per Week, 2 Hours Each for Korean and Math

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will operate cooperative classes to support basic academic skills for first and second graders in elementary schools returning to school from March. Retired teachers and education university students will be given priority in selection to be assigned as cooperative instructors.

On the 14th, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced that cooperative classes will be operated in 563 public elementary schools within the jurisdiction, and they are recruiting cooperative instructors for basic academic skills to support this.

Basic academic skills cooperative teachers (instructors) refer to instructors who collaborate with homeroom teachers during regular curriculum hours by considering each student's individual pace to diagnose and correct basic academic skills and assist learning. This was introduced to minimize the learning gap among lower grades amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

During regular subject classes, cooperative instructors assist and support homeroom teachers' lessons to activate student-centered participation classes and provide customized guidance for students who learn slowly in the classroom. When full remote classes begin due to COVID-19, they help support remote learning for first and second graders who need assistance and provide face-to-face basic academic skill guidance.

Cooperative instructors provide basic support of 2 hours per week for first grade Korean language and 2 hours per week for second grade mathematics. They work part-time 2 to 5 days a week within a maximum of 14 hours per week, following the hiring procedures for hourly instructors, and employment and industrial accident insurance apply. The hourly instructor fee is 22,000 KRW, and volunteers can receive up to 15,000 KRW per hour as volunteer activity expenses.

Cooperative instructors must hold a teacher's certificate or meet the instructor qualifications under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Priority will be given to retired teachers, those awaiting appointment, third-year or higher students at education universities or colleges of education, and graduate students in education. Recruitment announcements for cooperative instructors will be conducted by individual schools and posted on school websites and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education's recruitment page.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education is also considering recognizing teaching practice for prospective teachers participating as cooperative instructors by holding online meetings with teacher training institutions located in the metropolitan area to attract excellent personnel. They plan to provide free remote pre-training on basic academic skill guidance for those applying as cooperative teachers. The pre-training consists of the first grade Korean language curriculum, second grade mathematics curriculum and teaching methods, child abuse prevention education, and safety education.

Last month, through a public contest, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education designated Teacher Bill Remote Education Training Center, EBS Remote Education Training Center, and Korea Teacher Training Institute as cooperative institutions for basic academic skill training. Among them, Teacher Bill Training Center, which can provide training first, will offer free pre-training to applicants for basic academic skill cooperative instructors starting from the 15th.

Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, said, "Even amid the COVID-19 crisis, no student should be excluded from learning, and basic academic skills are a matter as important as human rights, so it is only right to prioritize support above all else. We will continue to make our best efforts to realize responsible education that guarantees basic academic skills thoroughly, leaving no child behind and unlocking the potential of all students."

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