<Anchor> The
removal work is ongoing in schools where the carcinogen asbestos remains.
In the meantime, we were able to run a care class regardless of asbestos construction, but these days it is often not.
Reporter Ahn Sang-woo reported.
<Reporter>
Mr. A, who raises a third-year daughter by herself, sent her daughter to the school care class during the semester.
However, along with the vacation, work to remove asbestos began at my daughter's school, and the care classroom was closed.
The only place to leave her daughter was an elderly mother in her 80s who lives separately.
[Mr. A/Parent: I'm always sorry.
I can't help it.
Otherwise, the only way to go out of work was to leave the child alone at home.] When the
asbestos removal work begins, the school must move the care class out of the school for the safety of children.
In previous years, it was easy to rent a care space at a neighboring school or religious facility, but the situation has changed since Corona 19.
[School officials: It's awkward.
It's harder because of Corona.
Even at our school, it would be burdensome to say that (students) come from other schools.] Looking
into two areas of Seoul and Incheon, 10 out of 56 elementary schools that do asbestos work have stopped caring for space.
Students are lately asking for help at the local children's center, but even this is not easy.
[Local Children's Center Official: There are waiting people in line.
(So) There is a request for care, but we also have no other sharp method other than receiving it as a waiting list...
.] A
situation where parents are forced to cut or stop working and take care of their children.
Education authorities have announced that they will complete the work to remove asbestos by 2027, and in the meantime, they will actively consider preparing alternatives to prevent disruption in the care classroom.
(Video coverage: Kim Heung-sik, video editing: Won-hee Won, VJ: Shin So-young)