국문본 : 한국 교육의 코로나19 대응 경험 해외 공유 전파

영문본 : Sharing and disseminating Korea’s Responds to COVID-19 in the Education Field

□ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hae held a virtual meeting with the Minister of Education of Argentina Nicholas Trotta on November 17 at 9:00AM.

o Argentina requested this meeting to hear about Korea's experience with physical attendance classes in response to COVID-19 to reference to opening physical attendance classes* in Argentina.

* After about eight months (234days), Argentina lifted its mandatory isolation and announced its transition to a social distance system (November 9, 2020) to prepare to resume physical attendance classes.

o The talks holds a significant meaning that the two Education Ministers discussed countermeasures to ensure continuity of education in the midst of COVID-19 which helped strengthen the bilateral relations after the G20 Education Ministers' meeting held in June and September of 2020.

□ During the meeting, discussions were focused on the Korean cases in working to create a safe school environment through systematic quarantine and sequential physical attendance by grade.

□ Deputy Prime Minister Yoo explained the process of collecting opinions from education sites under the cooperation of disease control authorities and supplemented and provided related guidelines on step-by-step physical attendance, in order to ensure student safety and their rights to learn.

o It was emphasized that the school expanded its teaching activities based on autonomous and flexible academic schedule, such as students’ concentration level adjustment and hybrid class, depending on the region and school’s conditions.

□ In addition, jointly with the quarantine authorities, schools provided supplemental guidelines* which can be applied to the school’s individual condition. Also, schools arranged additional quarantine and living guidance personnel to support the implementation of enhanced preventive guidelines.

* Guidelines for COVID-19 Prevention in Schools: Preparations before and after school, countermeasures in case of emergency, etc.

o Infectious diseases and quarantine experts were assigned to the Provincial offices of Education. Also, established and operated the communication channels for school quarantine support* and remote training of school staffers were strengthened.

* In conjunction with quarantine experts, health centers, and teacher communities, provided situation-specific FAQs and operated Q&A channels, etc.

o With the help of digital technology, 'Health condition self-diagnosis mobile Application(App)' was developed and provided to ensure the health and safety of students. In particular, psychological prevention system was strengthened, such as preventive education and counseling for students - including confirmed students - to relieve their psychological anxiety as COVID-19 prolonged.

□ Deputy Prime Minister Yoo emphasized that the stable resumption of the safe physical attendance was possible with a collective help of teachers' understanding and efforts and parents' interest and support.

□ Minister Trotta stated, “We are interested in learning more about Korea’s case of utilizing education technology to create an effective classroom” and expecting for a further collaboration of the two Ministries.

o Deputy Prime Minister Yoo explained that our Ministry is supporting distance learning with a collaboration of education technology companies, and hoping to expand education infrastructure that includes providing smart devices and installing radio net in schools by next year.

o In particular, Deputy Prime Minister Yoo is happy to share information about the development of K-education platform which allows attendance check, classes, evaluation in one place which will be helpful in creating inclusive and continuing education policies of the two countries.

o In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Yoo explained that the future education system will be established through digital innovation and customized learning support through the usage of AI so that all students can receive quality education without discrimination. COVID-19 lay a groundwork in transforming a crisis into an opportunity to leap forward into the future education.

□ Deputy Prime Minister Yoo said, “We will continue to share Korea's experience in response to COVID-19 education policies with foreign countries. And hoped that this meeting played a critical role in strengthening the relationship between Korea and Argentina.”

o Minister Trotta thanked, “Korea’s experience will be helpful in opening physical attendance classes in Argentina and responding to COVID-19.”