Deputy Prime Minister Yoo Eun-hye Meets Infectious Disease Experts, Aims to Increase School Attendance Days in 2nd Semester

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye held an advisory meeting with infectious disease experts on the 30th at the Government Seoul Office.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye held an advisory meeting with experts to discuss the academic operation plan for the second semester.

On the 30th, Deputy Prime Minister Yoo held an infectious disease expert advisory meeting at the Government Seoul Office with Professors Kim Hong-bin and Choi Eun-hwa from Seoul National University, Professor Lee Jae-gap from Hallym University, and Professor Lee Hyuk-min from Yonsei University. The meeting was organized to seek advice from infectious disease experts considering the possibility that the fourth wave of COVID-19 may continue until the start of the second semester in mid-August.

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo stated, "For the upcoming second semester, we aim to further expand the nationwide school attendance days to minimize students' educational loss," adding, "We are preparing to announce the academic operation plan for the second semester within the second week of August through such consultations."

She also said, "Last year, the first year of COVID-19, the average student attendance rate was around 50%, and in the first semester of this year, attendance was increased to 70%. Reviewing the trends of confirmed cases among students and staff during this period, as well as the effectiveness of quarantine measures over the past semester, is very meaningful in preparing for the second semester compared to last year."

According to the Ministry of Education, the number of confirmed student cases increased from double digits to triple digits on average per day since mid-July, with an average of 126.3 students confirmed daily over the past week (21st to 28th).

Currently, out of approximately 20,000 schools nationwide, 19,700 schools, accounting for 96.3%, have started their vacation. In the metropolitan area, 99.2% (about 7,700 schools) have begun their vacation.

The start of the second semester varies by school level but generally begins in mid-August. According to the Ministry of Education, 70% of middle schools and 66% of high schools start the semester during the third week of August (August 16?20), while 56% of elementary schools begin in the fourth week of August (August 23?27).

The Ministry of Education plans to intensively conduct consultations with related organizations such as the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and local education offices, as well as gather opinions from school sites, based on expert advice regarding the academic operation policy for the second semester.

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