Twin sisters Park Ha-neul and Park Ga-eul, who are both seniors at middle schools, take online classes at their home in the western Seoul ward of Yangcheon on April 9, 2020. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 29 (Korea Bizwire) — While more students in Seoul have adjusted to online classes than last year, even more of them are taking private classes.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education conducted a survey of 891 parents of students at elementary, middle, and high schools in the city, in which a higher number of responses said students have adjusted and participated more in online classes.
At elementary schools, responses on higher adjustment to online classes increased from 46.9 percent last year to 63.1 percent this year.
At middle schools, it jumped from 49.2 percent to 62.7 percent over the same period, while high schools went from 30.9 percent to 53 percent.
Responses on higher participation in online classes have also jumped. At elementary schools, it went from 57.7 percent last year to 65.5 percent this year.
At middle schools, it jumped from 55.7 percent to 58.4 percent, while high schools went from 48.6 percent to 58.6 percent.
“If students are struggling with their studies due to the online nature of these remote classes, there is a risk of a widening gap in academic achievement,” the research team said.
The pandemic has influenced demand for private education as well. While the proportion of private classes maintained average levels last year, this year saw more students taking private lessons.
Immediately after the coronavirus outbreak, shutdown measures for cram schools and academies prevented parents from sending their children to private classes.
However, the prolonged policy on online education has prompted them to enroll their children in more private lessons.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
