Full reopening of schools
Premature normalization could invite danger
The government is reiterating its plans to allow all students from kindergarten through high school to return to school for in-person classes for the second semester. Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on Facebook, Saturday, that the administration will normalize such classes fully in the fall semester. I am concerned about the learning gap among students, and their inability to make social and emotional connections owing to the prolonged pandemic, Kim said.
Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae also expressed hope that normal classes will resume fully in the fall. In an interview with local media last week, she said, We are consulting with the quarantine authorities to finish vaccinations for teachers before the summer break ends.
The Education Ministry is not planning to let schools reopen fully for classes until the autumn.
At present, schools in the greater Seoul area can only admit one-third of their students at any one time while the rest are condemned to studying online. The ratio is two-thirds in other parts of the country.
Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae said Wednesday, We are preparing to let schools across the country return to classes in September on the condition that vaccination of teachers is completed by the summer and daily coronavirus infections continue to remain below 1,000.
Currently only first, second and 12th graders are allowed to attend offline classes every day.