From the Second Semester, In-Person Classes for Experiments, Practice, and Practical Training at Universities... Gradual Expansion Starting in October

Ministry of Education Announces Stepwise Expansion Plan for In-Person University Activities in 2nd Semester
63% of University Students Support In-Person Lab and Practical Classes According to Survey
Up to Step 2, One Seat Spacing... Cafeterias
Junior Colleges Actively Expand In-Person Classes
Seoul National University Allows Under 100 Students at Step 2; Dongguk University Expands from Midterm Exams

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Universities will expand face-to-face classes starting from the second semester, beginning with experiments, practical training, and small-sized classes. They plan to gradually increase in-person classes from October, when the first round of vaccinations (70% nationwide) is completed.

On the 24th, the Ministry of Education announced a phased plan to expand face-to-face activities at universities for the 2021 academic year’s second semester. This aims to address concerns about learning loss and social interaction among university students, as well as difficulties in employment preparation for vocational college students who have a high proportion of practical training. Unlike elementary, middle, and high schools, universities have different conditions depending on the institution, and considering the high possibility of asymptomatic infections among people in their 20s and their high activity levels, a full-scale expansion was deemed difficult.

Partial Resumption of Face-to-Face Classes for Small-Sized, Experiment, and Practical Training... Vocational Colleges to Increase In-Person Classes More

Face-to-face classes will first be conducted for experiment, practical, and skill classes, as well as small-sized classes where there is demand from university members, and will be gradually expanded from October based on vaccination status. Vocational colleges, which have shorter course durations and a higher proportion of practical training than general universities, can conduct more active face-to-face classes. The Ministry of Education stated, "The extent of face-to-face classes at each university will be autonomously decided considering the university’s conditions, provided that quarantine guidelines are followed."

A survey conducted by the Ministry of Education targeting 94,803 university students showed that 63.1% supported expanding face-to-face experiment, practical, and skill classes in the second semester. However, opposition (47.0%) to expanding theoretical face-to-face classes was higher than support (36.9%). Regarding extracurricular campus activities, opposition (45.6%) to expanding face-to-face activities was also stronger than support (32.8%). This indicates that many university students still have concerns about infection.

Universities have also refined their academic operation plans for the second semester. Seoul National University allows face-to-face classes according to social distancing levels: under level 2, classes with fewer than 100 students are allowed, and under level 3, classes with fewer than 50 students are permitted. They plan to stagger class times, with lower-year students attending in the morning and upper-year students in the afternoon, in lecture rooms where a 2-meter distance between seats is possible. At Dongguk University, only theoretical lectures or experiment, practical, and skill classes with fewer than 30 students will be face-to-face until midterms, and after midterms, theoretical lectures with up to 50 students will also be allowed in person. Yonsei University permits face-to-face classes once a week for courses with up to 50 students when assigned to experiment, practical rooms, or lecture halls that can accommodate twice the enrollment. Seoul National University operates rapid PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing and a movement tracking app, and Yonsei University plans to supplement quarantine measures by introducing rapid PCR testing.

One Seat Gap Until Social Distancing Level 2 in Classrooms... Large-Scale Festivals Still Prohibited in Second Semester

The Ministry of Education also presented classroom quarantine management guidelines for infection control. Until social distancing level 2, one seat must be left empty between students, and from level 3, two seats must be left empty. If there are no seats, the standard is one person per 4 square meters at level 1, and one person per 6 square meters from level 2 onward. Singing or playing wind instruments must be done behind partitions.

Although face-to-face activities will expand, large-scale in-person events such as festivals remain prohibited. However, extracurricular campus activities such as student councils or clubs will be allowed starting from October, when the first vaccination round is completed. Until September, density limits will be applied to campus facilities according to social distancing levels, and student self-governance activities will be limited to the number allowed for private gatherings.

Preemptive testing is recommended for dormitory residents. International students must undergo three PCR tests, quarantine for 14 days, and be monitored twice daily.

The Ministry of Education is also working to secure a quarantine support budget to strengthen campus infection control. September, before the first vaccination round is completed, will be designated as a "University Special Quarantine Period" to inspect quarantine measures in multi-use facilities such as libraries, dormitories, and student cafeterias.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye said, "Universities will resume face-to-face classes in line with the purpose of revising social distancing, but we will gradually expand them while monitoring the vaccination results in the third quarter, actively cooperating with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and universities to harmonize both quarantine and education."

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