The North Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education announced Friday it will conduct safety inspections at 74 exam sites across eight examination districts in the province ahead of the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test, scheduled for Nov. 19.
The inspections will run for two weeks through Nov. 3, combining self-assessments by each school with follow-up checks by district education offices and relevant departments. Technical civil servants will also participate to closely examine the structural safety of facilities.
Key inspection items include cracks and deformation in buildings as earthquake preparedness measures, the securing of non-structural elements, the installation and operation of fire suppression systems, collapse risks at outdoor structures, and safety management at construction sites near exam venues.
Inspectors will also verify whether schools damaged by heavy rain and typhoons have been fully restored, and check that snow-removal plans and heating systems are in working order.
Particular attention will be paid to emergency evacuation routes, the operation of fire extinguishers and smoke detectors, and the condition of fire doors, with the aim of preventing safety incidents on exam day.
Minor issues found during inspections will be corrected on the spot or resolved before the exam date.
If serious defects or hazards are identified, emergency repairs and reinforcement will be carried out, and additional safety measures — including relocating an exam site if necessary — will be considered.
Once corrective actions are completed, compliance will be re-verified to ensure the safety of all exam venues.
"We will thoroughly examine every potential hazard at exam sites in advance and swiftly complete all necessary measures so that every test-taker can focus on the exam in a safe and comfortable environment," North Gyeongsang Superintendent of Education Im Jong-sik said.
kbj7653@heraldcorp.com
