As a prolonged heat wave continues, some elementary schools in Ulsan have already resumed classes or are set to do so soon, raising concerns among parents.
While most elementary schools are scheduled to start classes in late August, some have ended their summer break early, returning to school between late July and early August. The overlap of the peak heat period with the start of classes has particularly raised worries about the safety of younger students during their commutes.
An analysis of the Ulsan City Education Office's '2026 Academic Calendar' on August 3 revealed that Dongbaek Elementary School resumed classes on July 30, just a week after its summer vacation began on July 23.
Sinjeong Elementary School in Nam-gu will start classes on August 4, following its vacation ceremony on July 24. Meanwhile, Yaksach Elementary and Jungnam Elementary are set to begin on August 13, Hakseong Elementary on August 18, and Yangji Elementary on August 19.
The start dates for elementary schools in Ulsan vary significantly. Among the 124 schools, 32 will begin classes on August 24 and another 32 on August 25, making these the most common start dates. In total, 64 schools will start within these two days, accounting for more than half of the total. Following that, 16 schools will start on September 1, and 15 on August 26.
Some schools will continue their summer break into September. The differences in summer vacation length and start dates are due to varying academic schedules, including instructional days, discretionary holidays, and winter break plans.
The main concern is the safety of students returning to school during a prolonged heat wave, especially for those starting classes at the end of July or early August.
While classrooms can utilize air conditioning, the situation is different for students during their commutes. Parents of younger elementary students, who may struggle with temperature regulation and coping with heat, are particularly worried about their children carrying heavy backpacks while exposed to the midday heat.
A parent of a lower-grade student at Sinjeong Elementary, identified as A, expressed, "It is indeed concerning to see my child commuting with a heavy backpack under the strong sun and heat. Even if the classroom is air-conditioned, there are worries about heat-related illnesses due to outdoor exposure during commutes."
Another parent, B, acknowledged the varying academic schedules among schools but noted, "The intensity of the heat wave in early August has changed compared to previous years. I hope schools can respond flexibly by adjusting commute times or implementing shortened classes based on weather conditions."
The Ulsan City Education Office stated it will monitor heat advisories and weather conditions, aiming to prioritize student safety by flexibly managing academic schedules according to each school's circumstances.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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