Graduates throw their caps in the air during their graduation ceremony at Chung-Ang University in Seoul on Feb. 14, 2022. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — The Ministry of Education recently announced a five-year promotion plan to ensure that lifelong education is available to all.
Any adult who is not enrolled in college will be eligible to take various non-degree courses, including one- to three-month courses at universities, and acquire credits and degrees.
The ministry will also provide support to a consortium of local authorities, universities and enterprises to ensure residents’ access to lifelong education.
This new venture will contribute to the quality of life of local citizens, as well as the balanced growth of the nation, the government said.
Because South Koreans in 30s, 40s and 50s, who form the backbone of South Korean society, need education for various career transitions, the ministry will provide comprehensive learning support.
The government will focus on starting a public discourse on introducing a “leave of absence for lifelong education” program, in response to a Korean Educational Development Institute report in 2021 that the primary reason for not being able to access lifelong education (40.3 percent) was a “lack of time due to work”.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
