Education Minister Yoo Eun-hye Proposes Full In-Person Classes for Second Semester This Year

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] The National Association of Superintendents of Provincial and Municipal Offices of Education (Chair Choi Gyo-jin, hereinafter "Association") discussed promoting full in-person classes for the second semester and strengthened quarantine measures, as well as the '(Tentative) National Education Recovery Project' at a 'video conference between the education minister and provincial and municipal superintendents' held on the 26th.

At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Yoo Eun-hye proposed expanding in-person attendance of middle school students and specialized high school students in the Seoul metropolitan area in the first semester this year, completing vaccinations for education staff by the second semester, and promoting full in-person classes for students in line with social distancing level adjustments starting from the second semester.

In response, the provincial and municipal superintendents of education agreed that the measures were necessary and decided to work together to strengthen quarantine measures. Instead, they suggested that educational offices and schools be allowed to flexibly operate partial in-person attendance and convert to remote classes autonomously in accordance with circumstances.

Additionally, National Association Chair Choi Gyo-jin, based on the results of the executive meeting held on the 13th, proposed to the Education Ministry and provincial and municipal superintendents the implementation of a '(Tentative) National Education Recovery Project' aimed at overcoming learning losses from COVID-19 and recovering psychological-emotional and social well-being.

In response, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Yoo Eun-hye stated, "I empathize with the necessity of promoting the '(Tentative) National Education Recovery Project,' and will cooperate closely with provincial and municipal offices of education based on the content discussed at today's meeting."

Provincial and municipal superintendents of education showed sympathy for the basic purpose of 'education recovery,' but noted that methods to minimize the burden on teachers by actively considering the academic support and psychological-emotional support situations already being pursued by education offices should be reviewed. Additionally, some offered proposals that more fundamental measures such as strengthening environmental and ecological education and reducing the number of students per class should take priority.