The program will enable three to five high schools within 30 minutes walking distance of each other to share lectures. (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to introduce a new program to gather between three and five high schools in one area to run them as a single educational institution similar to a university.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE) announced on Monday that it will begin testing the program at a few locations in Seoul next year with the aim to set up ‘shared campuses’ for high schools in each of the 25 districts by 2024.
The SMOE plans to invest an average of 170 million won (US$143,280) for each school participating in a shared campus program.
The program will enable three to five high schools within 30 minutes walking distance of each other to share lectures.
Schools participating in the shared campus program will each come up with a curriculum of the school’s field of specialization as designated by the educational authorities, taking on a role similar to that of colleges in a university.
It will also become easier for students to take optional courses as they can look for lectures at other schools that are part of the shared campus program if their own school doesn’t provide them.
Schools in shared campuses will be able to create ‘small group’ courses with fewer students more easily, better ensuring students’ right to choose a lecture that they prefer.
Following the introduction of a new educational curriculum in 2015, students can take various optional courses regardless of their major.
However, schools are less than eager to open up optional courses as they lack teachers with relevant backgrounds, and courses with few students are difficult to grade via relative evaluation.
“Shared campuses will work as a bridge that connects to the credit bank system for high schools that will come into force in 2025,” said an SMOE official.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
