A student reads a public notice at Yonsei University, western Seoul, announcing the temporary closure of the school’s Korea Language Institute on Jan. 29, 2020. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 13 (Korea Bizwire) — Universities that postpone the beginning of classes due to concerns over new coronavirus infections will also carry out all scheduled lectures using makeup classes or online classes.
The Ministry of Education distributed guidelines for academic operations to universities on Wednesday.
The ministry said that even if universities postpone the opening of classes and reduce the number of classes, current laws stipulating that a minimum of 15 hours per semester must be taught should be followed.
Universities that postponed their classes will be required to provide makeup classes to students either in the morning or evening during the week and on weekends.
Alternatively, online classes (remote classes) or intensive classes should be scheduled. As a result, more universities are expected to use online lectures and tasks in general lectures.
Students in South Korea will also be able to take classes in person at school, while those who fail to enter from China will be able to take classes online.
Meanwhile, students who are absent from classes will be allowed to be admitted if they submit documentation confirming delays in entering South Korea due to a stay in Wuhan or because of a 14-day of self-quarantine period.
Students who were in Korea will also be allowed to attend if they were absent for reasons related to coronavirus, such as being quarantined due to suspected symptoms.
Taking the first semester off, which is usually not permitted by universities, will be allowed only for coronavirus-related reasons.
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
