In-Person Activities Allowed for Second Semester University Experiments, Practicals, and Small Classes... Existing Policy Maintained

70% of the Entire Population to Complete First Dose Vaccination, Gradual Expansion
Universities to Autonomously Decide the Scope of In-Person Activities

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] From the second semester, universities will allow face-to-face classes only for experiments, practical training, skill classes, and small-sized classes.

On the 9th, the Ministry of Education announced the 'Second Semester Academic Operation Plan,' stating that universities will maintain the phased expansion policy for face-to-face activities announced on June 24.

The Ministry of Education allows each university to autonomously decide the extent of face-to-face activities, considering the vaccination status of university members and the social distancing level of their location.

Face-to-face classes will be gradually expanded after 70% of the entire population completes the first dose of vaccination. This measure considers the sequential promotion of vaccination for those under their 40s and the need to prevent learning loss among university students.

Until the first dose is completed, face-to-face activities can be conducted mainly for experiments, practical training, skill classes, or small-sized classes. After the first dose is completed, overall on-campus face-to-face activities can be expanded.

In stages 3 and 4, seats should be spaced two seats apart, and if there are partitions, students can sit one seat apart. In stages 2 to 4, lecture halls such as auditoriums, gyms, and dance studios must maintain a distance of one person per 6㎡. Music departments must conduct singing or wind instrument performances inside partitions regardless of the distancing stage.

The Ministry of Education will prioritize assigning 3 to 12 personnel per school, hired through the Hope Work Support Project by local governments, to manage quarantine within universities.

September will be designated as a special university quarantine period, during which the Ministry of Education, universities, and local governments will jointly inspect multi-use facilities outside schools. Additionally, universities are recommended to operate a 'vaccine leave system' for vaccinated students.

The Ministry of Education supports the employment of 3,000 personnel to improve the quality of teaching and learning and support the operation of the second semester curriculum through projects developing non-face-to-face class content and materials.

Through a temporary support project to strengthen employment capabilities for junior college students, costs necessary for acquiring certifications or completing various employment-related education programs will be supported for students who have not properly received on-site training or skill classes needed for employment during the past three semesters. Up to 700,000 KRW per person will be supported for a total of 30,000 students until February next year.

The Ministry of Education plans to hold a University Education Recovery Committee in early September to create additional improvements through a task force on quarantine and academic management for future semester operation plans.

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