As the high school credit system—where students choose their classes like university students—was implemented in March, it is receiving positive feedback on the ground. (Image created by AI/ChatGPT)
SEOUL, March 30 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea officially rolled out its high school credit system this month, transforming the educational landscape by allowing students to customize their coursework much like university students. The program, long in development, aims to foster individualized learning paths and better align education with students’ career aspirations.
At Dangok High School in Seoul’s Gwanak District—a pilot school for the initiative since 2019—students are already experiencing the system’s benefits. On a recent visit, 11th-grader Shim Ji-min expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to blend liberal arts and STEM subjects.
“My dream is to become a digital educator,” Shim said. “Thanks to the credit system, I’ve been able to take both humanities and science classes. Through interdisciplinary courses, I’ve been able to redefine my career goals.”
Under the new model, students select subjects each year based on personal interests and career goals, with guidance from career counselors and teachers. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education is ramping up support, including one-on-one counseling and centralized guidance centers, to assist with course planning.
One standout feature is the “shared campus” model, where neighboring schools collaborate to offer specialized courses online. In a “Smart Content Practice” class, students from Dangok High and neighboring Sudo Girls’ High School jointly developed voice-recognition AI applications using Google’s MIT App Inventor platform.
Smart Content Practice’ class taking place at Dangok High School in Gwanak District, Seoul. (Yonhap)
Kim Kyung-min, another 11th-grade student at Dangok aiming to become an app developer, praised the system. “I chose this course after consulting with a career advisor,” he said. “Aside from less time to bond with classmates due to moving between classes, it hasn’t been burdensome.”
His classmate Shin Eun-ji discovered a newfound interest in STEM through counseling. “I realized I was more drawn to science than humanities,” she said. “The material is tough, but the teachers are supportive.”
Teachers have noted heightened student engagement. “Because students choose courses aligned with their career goals, they are more focused,” said Jeong Byung-hee, an IT teacher. “Our class encourages students to design and present their own projects.”
Despite the enthusiasm, challenges remain. Educators cite concerns over increased administrative complexity, including attendance tracking and curriculum coordination. There are also questions about whether students will receive sufficient career counseling when selecting next year’s courses between May and October.
In response, city education official Kim Myung-gyu said the Seoul education office is expanding support systems. “In addition to in-school advisors, students can access career counseling centers run by the city,” he said. “We are committed to providing one-on-one guidance.”
To facilitate course selection, the education office will conduct a student demand survey in April, followed by a curriculum fair and parent information sessions in May. One-on-one counseling will continue through July.
“Letting students build their own schedules is the essence of personalized education,” said Seoul Education Superintendent Jeong Geun-sik. “We will continue to monitor the rollout closely and look for ways to ease the burden on teachers while strengthening support for students.”
The system is expected to play a critical role in education policy discussions as the nation prepares for broader reforms ahead of 2026.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
