Mandatory-like recommendation for rapid antigen tests... Parents say "Won't do if asymptomatic"

The Ministry of Education Recommended, but Schools Notify as Mandatory
Parents Feel Reluctant Due to Forced Testing and Low Accuracy Issues
From the 4th, Two Additional Test Kits Distributed per Student

As the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant continues, on the 2nd, when elementary, middle, and high schools reopened, parents at Geumyang Elementary School in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, watched their children moving to classrooms. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Although rapid antigen tests were recommended twice a week at home before attending school from the new semester, schools are requiring parents to conduct the tests as if it were mandatory.

On the first day of school, March 2, the Ministry of Education distributed one test kit per student to elementary, middle, and high school students, and some schools issued notices instructing students to take rapid antigen tests. Contrary to the Ministry's repeated emphasis that testing is a recommendation, not mandatory, schools are demanding tests compulsorily due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, leaving parents in a difficult position.

According to a survey by the Ministry of Education on March 2 regarding the usage of the self-diagnosis app among kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school students, the participation rate was only 83.7% (4.91 million students). Although the Ministry required inputting rapid antigen test results into the self-diagnosis app, one out of six students did not participate. Among students eligible to attend school, 2.69% (158,171 students) were instructed to refrain from attending. Students who received such instructions either showed suspicious symptoms, or themselves or cohabitants tested positive on rapid antigen tests or were awaiting PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test results.

From the new semester, the self-diagnosis app added items to check whether rapid antigen tests were conducted and their results. Responses can be marked as not tested, negative, or positive, and recovered individuals are exempt from testing for 45 days.

Parents are protesting. The Ministry of Education initially recommended testing on Wednesdays and Sundays, but schools are notifying it as if mandatory. A parent of an elementary student said, "The homeroom teacher told all the children to take the rapid antigen test, so it became almost compulsory." Another parent said, "I feel burdened to force testing when there are no symptoms, so I plan not to test when asymptomatic." Many parents comply with the instructions out of concern that asymptomatic infections might harm classmates.

Some parents point out the low accuracy and limited effectiveness of the tests. One parent said, "The accuracy of the home test kits is not reliable, so if testing is absolutely necessary, I would rather have medical professionals conduct it." A parent in their late 40s said, "The test requires a deep swab that makes the child cry, and I doubt how many people can perform it properly."

Deputy Minister of Education Jeong Jong-cheol stated, "Testing is not legally mandatory but a recommendation. We have publicly announced this policy several times, and even without separate official documents, city and provincial education offices and schools must follow the standards set by the Ministry of Education."

In the 'New Semester Omicron-related Measures and Plans' announced on March 3, the Ministry of Education distributed 6.06 million test kits for the first week of March and plans to provide an additional 13 million kits starting from March 4, with two kits per student and one per staff member.

To prepare for cluster infections in schools, the Ministry plans to organize 256 self-investigation support teams in city and provincial education offices to assist with on-site or telephone investigations and contact diagnostic testing (PCR, rapid antigen tests). Of the 73,056 school quarantine personnel, 61,548 have been hired, with recruitment to be completed by the end of this month.

To support overcrowded schools struggling with the Omicron variant, 8,900 temporary teachers will be hired and assigned to schools within this month. Additionally, 1,303 temporary health teachers were hired for schools without health teachers or large schools, with temporary appointments allowed beyond the quota, and 1,780 personnel were deployed to support health teachers in large schools and others.

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