Special task force established, first meeting held on 30th
Research on the reform of the college entrance system by the Education Research Institute, etc.
Installation instructions after attending the ‘University Admission Information Fair’
“The Future of Korean Education Depends on College Entrance Exam Reform”
“Is this normal? If I don’t do this, I won’t be able to go to college.”
After visiting the ‘University Admission Information Fair’ held at KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang-si on the 19th of this month, Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education Lim Tae-hee posted a post late at night on his SNS titled ‘The future of Korean education depends on university admission reform.’
The number of pre-registrants for the fair is said to have reached 15,000. Parents lined up around the venue from 6 a.m. on the opening day. However, applications for one-on-one consultations closed as soon as the fair opened.
Superintendent Lim, who observed this, is reported to have said, “I will begin specific preparations with the belief that the future of our education lies in changing the college entrance exam system,” and then ordered the establishment of a dedicated organization.
Five days after Superintendent Lim’s directive, on the 24th, the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education announced that it would establish a special task force (TF) headed by the Director of the Education Policy Bureau to publicize the university entrance reform and discuss ways to improve the university entrance exam.
Internal members, such as the Policy Planning Director, Curriculum Policy Division, Career and Vocational Education Division, and Public Relations Planning Director, as well as external members, such as the Gyeonggi Education Research Institute, teachers, expert groups, and parents, participate.
The first meeting will be held on the 30th of this month at the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education Suwon Gwanggyo Building. Superintendent Lim will also attend the meeting to explain the need for improvement and direction of the future college entrance system.
Superintendent Lim said, “We have made great efforts at the public education level to provide the education our children will need in the future era they will live in,” but added, “I believe that the root of our continued reliance on private education lies in the college entrance system.”
He said, “There are many changes and efforts in elementary, middle, and high school education, and there are clear results,” but added, “However, at the high school level, all energy is focused on preparing for college entrance exams, so the educational achievements and values of the previous stages are actually shaken and collapsed.”
The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, in cooperation with the Gyeonggi Provincial Institute of Education, is also conducting separate research on ‘College Entrance System Reform Plans for Normalizing School Curriculum’ and ‘Analysis of College Entrance System Issues for Improving High School Educational Capability.’
Reporter Jo Young-dal dalsarang@donga.com
Source: www.donga.com
