Elementary schools in South Korea are adopting artificial intelligence (AI) digital textbooks at higher rates compared to middle and high schools. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 20 (Korea Bizwire) — Elementary schools in South Korea are adopting artificial intelligence (AI) digital textbooks at higher rates compared to middle and high schools, according to new data.
Education authorities plan to inform provincial education offices and schools about additional application methods for the second semester this week, aiming to increase AI textbook usage across educational institutions.
According to data released by the Ministry of Education, 1,813 elementary schools adopted AI mathematics textbooks for third graders in the first semester of the 2025 school year, while 1,843 schools adopted AI English textbooks. These figures represent 28.6% and 29.1% of the total 6,339 elementary schools, respectively.
For fourth-grade elementary students, 1,854 schools (29.2%) adopted AI mathematics textbooks, and 1,879 schools (29.6%) adopted AI English textbooks.
Among middle schools, 857 out of 3,285 schools adopted AI mathematics textbooks for first-year students, while 885 schools adopted AI English textbooks. The adoption rates were 26.1% and 26.9%, respectively.
For high school first-year students, 567 out of 2,380 schools (23.8%) chose AI mathematics textbooks, and 581 schools (24.4%) selected AI English textbooks.
The mathematics adoption rate was highest for fourth-grade elementary (29.2%), followed by third-grade elementary (28.6%), first-year middle school (26.1%), and first-year high school (23.8%). Similarly, the English adoption rate was highest for fourth-grade elementary (29.6%), followed by third-grade elementary (29.1%), first-year middle school (26.9%), and first-year high school (24.4%).
The relatively higher adoption rates in elementary schools are attributed to less pressure from academic records and college admissions compared to middle and high schools.
However, an Education Ministry official noted, “Given that there were variations in the timing and scope of AI textbook introduction, and the gap in adoption rates between school levels is not significant, we do not consider these differences meaningful.”
The Education Ministry introduced AI textbooks this year for mathematics, English, and information subjects in grades 3 and 4 of elementary school, first year of middle school, and first year of high school. Originally planned for full implementation, the ministry shifted to voluntary adoption following widespread opposition.
Currently, elementary and high school mathematics and high school English subjects are organized by semester, while elementary and middle school English and middle school mathematics are structured by grade level.
Accordingly, AI textbook applications were received separately for first and second semesters for semester-based subjects, and without semester distinction for grade-based subjects.
As of March 13, the percentage of schools that previously indicated their intention to adopt AI textbooks for the second semester was 7.9% for third-grade elementary mathematics, 8% for fourth-grade elementary mathematics, 14.6% for first-year high school mathematics, and 14.9% for first-year high school English.
As of March 13, 3,870 schools, or 32.4% of the total 11,932 elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide, had selected at least one AI textbook.
The adoption rate was highest in Daegu at 98.1%, while Sejong had the lowest rate at 9.5%.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
