Under Level 2 social distancing or lower, kindergarteners along with first and second graders in South Korea will be allowed to go to school for in-person classes in the spring.
The start of the school year won't be postponed either.
"Unlike last March, remote learning is now available at all schools nationwide. So the school year will begin in March as planned."
Recent scientific findings showing COVID-19 infections are less likely to occur in schools and among children have prompted the government to gradually reopen schools, first for those requiring more care.
Students with special needs will be able to attend class under Level 2.5 social distancing or lower at the school's discretion.
As for high school seniors, the national college entrance exam is set to be held without any delays on November 18th.
Seniors, as they did last year, are to attend school every day.
But how will this shift towards face-to-face learning be safely carried out?
"Roughly 170 million U.S. dollars will be put in to increase the number of personnel responsible for checking temperatures and disinfecting schools to 50-thousand."
The Education Ministry also announced earlier on Tuesday that some two thousand teachers on temporary contracts will be placed in classes with more than thirty young elementary school kids so that the students can be spaced out.
In addition, more after-school programs and care centers on flexible schedules will be run for nearly 460-thousand kids to ease the pressure of child care on parents.
The ministry also plans to improve the current educational infrastructure by expanding AI-based learning tools, increasing access to high speed internet and even pushing for new laws regarding remote learning.
Han Seong-woo, Arirang News.
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