S. Korea to reopen schools in stages from May 13
- 4 years ago
교육부, 등교개학 일정 발표... 13일부터 순차적 추진
South Korea will be easing its second level social distancing from Wednesday... instead adopting what's called an 'everyday life quarantine.'
That's as the nation has managed to keep the COVID-19 outbreak under control in the last few weeks.
With that, it's reopening schools from next week. Again, students will go back to schools in stages.
High school seniors will be the first to start on the 13th of May.
Our Choi Won-jong has the details.
Students in South Korea are looking forward to returning to school as soon as possible now that the government has relaxed its social distancing policy.
But to make sure it's safe to go back after a long holiday weekend, the education ministry announced Monday that schools will reopen in stages until June 1st.
"After coordinating with the relevant quarantine agencies, we have decided that the actual opening of school for the majority of students needs to be at least 14 days after the long weekend in May."
High school seniors will be the first to go back to the classroom on May 13th. They're going early to make up for time lost to prepare for their crucial college entrance exam later this year.
A week later, they'll be followed by second-year high schoolers, third-year middle schoolers and first and second graders in elementary school.
Kindergartens will open again on May 20th.
The remaining students, including first-year high schoolers, second-year middle schoolers and third and fourth graders in elementary school... will go back from May 27th.
The last group to start will be first-year middle schoolers and fifth and sixth graders in elementary school.
Under the plan, students still need to follow COVID-19 guidelines.
For example, they have to wipe down their desks and open the windows when they get to the classroom.
They also need to wear masks in the classroom, and get their temperatures checked regularly.
Social distancing is a key measure as well.
For example, there'll be walls set up between each student at the cafeteria tables.
In the meantime, the ministry says that if cases of COVID-19 are detected at schools in the future, then those particular schools will be switched back to the online learning system immediately.
Choi Won-jong, Arirang News.
South Korea will be easing its second level social distancing from Wednesday... instead adopting what's called an 'everyday life quarantine.'
That's as the nation has managed to keep the COVID-19 outbreak under control in the last few weeks.
With that, it's reopening schools from next week. Again, students will go back to schools in stages.
High school seniors will be the first to start on the 13th of May.
Our Choi Won-jong has the details.
Students in South Korea are looking forward to returning to school as soon as possible now that the government has relaxed its social distancing policy.
But to make sure it's safe to go back after a long holiday weekend, the education ministry announced Monday that schools will reopen in stages until June 1st.
"After coordinating with the relevant quarantine agencies, we have decided that the actual opening of school for the majority of students needs to be at least 14 days after the long weekend in May."
High school seniors will be the first to go back to the classroom on May 13th. They're going early to make up for time lost to prepare for their crucial college entrance exam later this year.
A week later, they'll be followed by second-year high schoolers, third-year middle schoolers and first and second graders in elementary school.
Kindergartens will open again on May 20th.
The remaining students, including first-year high schoolers, second-year middle schoolers and third and fourth graders in elementary school... will go back from May 27th.
The last group to start will be first-year middle schoolers and fifth and sixth graders in elementary school.
Under the plan, students still need to follow COVID-19 guidelines.
For example, they have to wipe down their desks and open the windows when they get to the classroom.
They also need to wear masks in the classroom, and get their temperatures checked regularly.
Social distancing is a key measure as well.
For example, there'll be walls set up between each student at the cafeteria tables.
In the meantime, the ministry says that if cases of COVID-19 are detected at schools in the future, then those particular schools will be switched back to the online learning system immediately.
Choi Won-jong, Arirang News.