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| Parents at Seoboo Elementary School in Ulsan hold a rally protesting the government's decision to send Afghan children to the school, Feb. 9. Newsis |
By Lee Hyo-jin
Afghan children in Ulsan, who have not been able to attend school yet due to fierce protests from some Korean parents, will finally begin their school life next Monday, according to the local education office, Friday.
The children of "Afghan special contributors" who were evacuated to Korea last August after their homeland was taken over by the Taliban, settled in the southeastern port city of Ulsan in February after their parent got jobs there.
A total of 28 children aged between seven and 13 were enrolled at Seoboo Elementary School in Dong District, but their admission has been left in limbo due to protests by some Korean parents.
Ulsan's education office announced Friday that the students will begin their school life on March 21, and they will be offered separate education programs depending on their Korean language skills.
The students will be divided into three groups based on language skills, with each class taught by one homeroom teacher and two Korean tutors. About 75 million won of the city budget will be allocated to operate their education programs.
However, it remains to be seen whether the Afghan children will be able to study in the same classroom with their Korean peers, as the education authorities have yet to come up with detailed plans.
"We were able to finally fix the admission date following several meetings with the parents. But some of them are still protesting, saying that the Afghan children should receive education at a separate facility. We will need some more time to settle this issue," an official at the education office said.
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