Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae (3rd from R) announces a government plan to turn three categories of elite high schools into general schools by 2025 at the government complex in Seoul on Nov. 7, 2019. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea on Thursday announced a plan to transform three categories of elite high schools into general schools by 2025 to promote fairness in education and improve overall public education.
The education ministry said autonomous private, foreign language and international high schools will be deprived of their status of greater autonomy in admission, financing and curriculum.
Schools for gifted students and other special-purpose schools in science, arts and physical education will retain their status.
“The stratified school system has not only caused unfairness in overall high school education but also is not a form that fits the future of education. So, we have decided to drastically improve it,” Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae told reporters.
She dismissed concerns that the change will lead to deterioration of education quality and students’ choice.
The minister promised the government will inject 2.2 trillion won (US$1.99 billion) in enhancing education in general high schools over the next five years.
By 2025, a full-fledged credit system will be introduced to high schools, giving students greater autonomy to choose classes, the ministry said.
During his election campaign in 2017, President Moon Jae-in promised to overhaul the privileged school system, which he called a key culprit of deepened educational inequality, excessive academic competition and high private education costs.
The plan recently gained momentum amid a scandal surrounding former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, whose daughter is alleged to have received educational favors and privileges stemming from her family background.
Autonomous private, foreign language and international high schools were first introduced in 2001, 1992 and 1998, respectively.
There are 42 autonomous private high schools, 30 foreign language and seven international high schools in operation across the country.
(Yonhap)
