Kindergarten and elementary school 1st and 2nd graders are expected to be able to attend school every day in the new semester as they are excluded from the application of the density until the second stage of social distancing to respond to Corona 19.
The new semester starts in March as scheduled.
The 2022 College Academic Ability Test (SAT) scheduled for the third week of November will also be administered without delay even if the Corona 19 situation worsens.
The Ministry of Education today (28th) announced the '2021 Bachelor's and Curriculum Operation Support Plan' containing these contents.
The Ministry of Education strictly observes the quarantine regulations and secures school days, but allows infants and elementary school 1st and 2nd graders to be excluded from the application of the density level (number of possible attendance among all school students) up to the second stage.
This means that Kindergarten students up to the second stage and 1st and 2nd graders of elementary school can attend school every day.
An official from the Ministry of Education explained, "Three times are right: the quarantine aspect that the incidence of Corona 19 was low for those under the age of 10, the educational aspect that the effect of face-to-face classes for the lower grades was good, and the social demand for care increased."
The density of school attendance according to the 5 distant steps is maintained.
According to the principle of school density for each stage of distance, the first step is based on two-thirds of the school density, but it can be adjusted, and for step 1.5, the density should be less than two-thirds.
In the second stage, the density of school is one-third in principle (less than two-thirds for high school), but up to two-thirds can be attended, and in the 2.5th stage, the density of school, elementary, middle, and high school is one-third. The following must be observed.
At the third level, it will switch to distance classes.
As in the past, special schools (levels) and small schools can decide whether to apply the density degree up to step 2.5.
However, the standards for small schools become somewhat looser.
The Ministry of Education has expanded the standard for small-scale schools from around 300 students to a school with less than 300 students or less than 300 students or less than 300 students or less than 400 students per class and 25 students or less per class.
Like last year, this year, high school 3 goes to school every day.
Deputy Prime Minister Yu Eun-hye and Minister of Education said, "The 3rd grader of high school, which was the principle of going to school every day last year, will maintain the previous year's standard, but the Office of Education will finally determine it according to the local and school conditions."
The Ministry of Education assigns 50,000 quarantine/life guidance personnel to support the expansion of school attendance.
In addition, approximately 2,000 fixed-term teachers are temporarily assigned to overcrowded classes for elementary 1st to 3rd graders with more than 30 students to support school quarantine.
The Ministry of Education is also planning to ensure that each school has enough time for meals to reduce the density during the meal time when the mask is removed.
The Ministry of Education reaffirmed that this year's academic calendar will start normally in March without delaying the start of school.
Last year, school opening was delayed to mid-April due to the lack of a policy to respond to Corona 19, but it is explained that the postponement of school opening will not be repeated as the principle of school density according to the five steps of distance is established.
It is a policy to decide whether to attend school or take remote classes at the beginning of school in March according to the situation of the local infectious disease at that time.
In addition, in compliance with the legal standard number of school days, summer vacation starts from late July to early August, second semester starts from late August to early September, and winter vacation starts at the end of December. I plan to do it.
The SAT, which was postponed for two weeks due to Corona 19 last year, is also scheduled to be held on November 18, the third Thursday of November this year.
The Ministry of Education also distributes'Guidelines for attendance, evaluation and recording of 2021 distance classes and attendance classes (guidelines)' to support attendance management, evaluation and recording smoothly when distance classes are held together.
In the case of distance classes, it is a principle to check attendance on a per-course basis on the day of the class, and teachers can check attendance through the public learning management system.
The final attendance confirmation period will be shortened from 7 days to 3 days.
In preparation for attending school and remote classes, each school must establish an evaluation plan.
During the 3rd stage of distance, the 1st and 2nd grades of junior high school can implement the pass system, which is treated as a'pass' if they only attend a certain level or above without paper-delivery evaluation.
Subjects that can perform video performance evaluation are extended to all elementary, middle, and high school subjects.
Last year, in middle and high schools, video performance evaluation was only available for subjects excluding basic investigation subjects.
The scope of the school life record book is also expanded.
Previously, only the contents that the teacher observed and evaluated during the remote class period could be written, but this year, the contents of the distance class can be added together with the contents observed and evaluated by the teacher during the class.
For parents who are concerned about the spread of Corona 19, the Ministry of Education plans to add home study as a reason for experiential learning to recognize attendance.
(Photo = Yonhap News)