Ministry of Education Recognizes "Infectious Disease Situation as Very Serious" Regarding Full Return to School in 2nd Semester

81.5% of 12th Graders Completed First Dose
65% of Schools Nationwide Enter Vacation

As social distancing level 4 is applied, schools in Seoul have switched to remote classes. On the morning of the 14th, a teacher is conducting an online class in a 5th-grade classroom at Muhak Elementary School in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. 2021.07.14.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Education stated on the 26th that it "recognizes the infectious disease situation as very serious" regarding the full return to school policy for the second semester.

At the regular briefing held that day, a Ministry of Education official said, "We are thoroughly monitoring the current situation with the quarantine authorities and will provide our position after collecting opinions."

The COVID-19 vaccination rate for 3rd-year high school students and high school staff, which began on the 19th, reached 81.5%. As of the previous day, 528,016 people received the first dose. Among those who agreed to vaccination, 83.5% have completed the vaccination.

The first dose vaccination for 3rd-year high school students and high school staff will continue until the 30th. The second dose will start from August 9 to 20, three weeks later.

The vaccination rate for kindergarten, daycare, and 1st-2nd grade elementary school teachers and care personnel, which began on the 13th, recorded 98.8% (308,720 people). Among 40,957 special education and health teachers eligible for vaccination, 91.3% (37,392 people) have completed the second dose.

As of the 24th, 60% (4,663 schools) of 7,768 schools in the metropolitan area have started summer vacation. Nationwide, 64.8% (13,291 schools) of 20,512 schools are on vacation.

Among the 7,768 schools in the metropolitan area, 3,007 schools (38.7%) conducted remote classes instead of attending school. Nationwide, 3,055 schools (14.9%) conducted remote classes.

Meanwhile, from the 22nd to the 25th, there were a total of 450 confirmed student cases and 57 confirmed staff cases. There were 164 confirmed university student cases and 13 confirmed university staff cases.

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