On the morning of October 13, last year, students wear masks and take classes at an elementary school in Jung-gu, Seoul. News 1
Real-time interactive classes will be expanded at schools in Seoul this year. As the standards of small schools have been eased, the number of schools that are not restricted in density will also increase significantly.
On the 24th, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced the’School Management Plan for the New Semester of 2021′. The plan contained matters related to this year’s school operation, such as school methods, distance classes, and meals.
Early this year, social distancing was lowered to the second stage, so kindergarteners and the first and second graders of elementary school are not subject to concentration. If their distance is not raised by more than 2.5 levels, they can attend school every day. There is no restriction on the density of students who need care or basic academic support.
The range of small schools that do not follow the density standard has also expanded until step 2.5. Previously, students with less than 300 students were classified as small schools. Starting this year, it includes places with more than 300 students, less than 400 students, and fewer than 25 students per class.
Accordingly, the number of small schools will increase from 132 to 280. As of 2020, about 21.3% of 1313 elementary, middle, and high schools in Seoul, which means that one out of five can attend school every day.
Remote lessons are interactive… Lunch is’school autonomous’
On the morning of December 15 last year, a teacher is taking a distance class at an elementary school in Incheon. News 1
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education recommended that, as a rule, real-time interactive classes are provided for remote classes. Classes using zoom, etc. are expected to expand. This is a result of growing dissatisfaction with parents about one-way lectures, such as posting only EBS (educational broadcasting) lectures after the remote class was held last year.
Students who take remote classes at home can also eat school meals if they wish. The target of meals is determined by conducting a demand survey for each school. Each school decides whether or not to implement meals in consideration of the conditions for feeding and quarantine and traffic safety, and if there are many applicants, the lower grades will be given priority and gradually expanded.
In response, teachers’ organizations are protesting that the burden of quarantine is increasing. On the 22nd, the Federation of Teachers’ Associations in Seoul argued, “Because classes, meals, quarantine, and living guidance, the burden is inevitably increased in the field, so it should be implemented gradually in consideration of the quarantine situation.”
An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said, “I know there is a risk of infection in the cafeteria, but there are some students who find it difficult to eat without meals,” he said. “Because the demand for meals, the environment of the cafeteria, and the academic schedule are all different, we guided each school to operate autonomously.” said.
Jo Hee-yeon “Faculty and staff should be given vaccine first
Financial and manpower support for quarantine response will also be expanded. In cooperation with the Ministry of Education and autonomous districts, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will deploy 9,000 quarantine personnel and 250 health support instructors at schools. 10% of each school’s basic operating expenses are compulsory for quarantine activities.
In order to expand school attendance, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education stated that it is necessary to vaccinate school staff first. Seoul City Superintendent Jo Hee-yeon said, “In order to maintain the classes that will be expanded from the new semester to school, the corona 19 vaccine should be given to faculty members first.”
Reporter Nam Gung-min namgung.min@joongang.co.kr
