Even under the strictest Level Four distancing currently imposed in the capital region, in-person classes will proceed at elementary, middle and high schools from the fall semester at a third of the capacity or higher.

In non-capital areas, which are currently under Level Three, two-thirds of students will be able to attend physical classes while high schools can fully resume classroom teaching.

Attendance is set to be further expanded from September 6. 

Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae on Monday announced a set of new relaxed distancing guidelines for schools to bring more children into the classroom. 

While maintaining the previous plan to fully resume in-person classes from the fall to address the inadequacies of remote learning, the ministry will instead adopt a step-by-step approach, varying the attendance cap depending on grades.

From the third or fourth week of August, when schools reopen, until September 3, even under Level Four, first and second graders will return to school while third to sixth graders will continue online learning.

During this period, a third of middle schoolers and half of high school freshmen and sophomores will return, while the cap does not apply to high school seniors who are fully vaccinated in preparation for the college entrance exam. 

Rules will be further relaxed from September 6 when classes at all schools can fully resume under Level Three. Under Level Four, schools can accept two-thirds of all students.

As an exception, full-blown classes are possible at kindergartens and special purpose schools regardless of social distancing.