Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education Reinforces Special School Safety Management Ahead of Semester Start Amid Heatwave

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jeong Jun-seong] In response to the ongoing heatwave, the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education plans to re-examine the heatwave response measures at schools ahead of the start of the second semester and further strengthen school safety management.

In particular, ahead of the full-fledged heat, the Provincial Office of Education decided to intensively inspect school heating and cooling facilities and to provide guidance on safety measures to prevent heat-related illnesses among frontline workers such as those in cafeterias, thereby proactively responding to risk factors in each sector.

It is also strengthening safety management for physical activities and school construction sites in accordance with heatwave conditions.

Ahead of the period when schools begin the semester, the Provincial Office of Education held a meeting on the 10th to prepare measures for the start of the semester.

It is once again checking whether the heatwave measures previously implemented by sector are being carried out at schools without disruption.

The main items being inspected include: △frequent monitoring of weather conditions such as heatwave alerts and swift dissemination △minimizing and adjusting outdoor and physical activities during hours vulnerable to heatwaves.

In addition, they include: △inspecting cooling facilities and maintaining appropriate indoor temperatures △compliance with heat-related illness prevention rules for frontline workers such as those in cafeterias △checking the health status of students and staff vulnerable to heatwaves △suspending outdoor work at school construction sites.

Along with this, schools were urged to maintain a safety management system centered on the school principal and to implement preemptive safety measures, such as flexibly adjusting educational activities including outdoor activities according to weather conditions and school circumstances.

Ahn Min-seok, Superintendent of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, said, “The Provincial Office of Education has inspected heatwave risk factors at schools in advance ahead of the full summer season and has continuously pursued necessary measures,” adding, “With the start of the semester, all relevant departments will create a safe environment through a special re-inspection of the safety measures we have pursued so that students and staff can carry on their school lives with peace of mind.”

He went on to emphasize, “Protecting students from various disasters, including heatwaves, is a duty of the utmost importance,” and, “We will continue to do our best to create safe schools where students can live safely and parents can send their children with peace of mind.”