'You Quiz Gifted School Controversy' Appears in Blue House Petition... "Unfair from Gifted High School to Medical School"

"Tax-Operated Gifted Schools Should Be Prevented from Medical School Admission"

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Archive.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Recently, a broadcast highlighted the story of a science high school graduate who was simultaneously accepted to six major medical schools in Korea, sparking controversy. In relation to this, a petition was posted on the Blue House National Petition board.

On the 22nd, a post titled "Please rectify the gifted schools that have been transformed into medical school preparatory schools" was uploaded to the Blue House National Petition board.

The petitioner stated, "This year’s admissions also saw numerous medical school acceptances from Seoul Science High School, Gyeonggi Science High School, and Daejeon Science High School," adding, "Please stop sending students to medical schools while operating good programs funded by taxpayers' money."

He pointed out, "Students continue medical volunteer work at gifted schools and improve the quality of their school records through excellent school programs to enter their desired medical schools. Gifted schools should only be a good stepping stone for such students."

He further explained, "Even if a student ranks first in a general high school, it is difficult to enter medical school due to the huge difference in the quality of school records," citing the reason as, "In general high schools, various research papers and club activities are limited, so even if a student conducts individual research, if the school does not have the program, it is not allowed to be recorded."

Gifted schools have many excellent programs operated with taxpayer money, and since the curriculum itself involves advanced courses, there is a huge difference in school records compared to general high school students.

He added, "I understand that Korea Science Academy of KAIST strongly restricts medical school admissions by the school administration. Why can't other schools do the same?" and criticized, "The reason gifted schools do not separately announce their admission results is probably to conceal the fact that many students go to medical schools."

Earlier, on the 6th, a Seoul National University medical student who graduated from a science high school appeared on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' and shared study tips. The broadcast highlighted the fact that he was accepted to six major medical schools in Korea.

Subsequently, there was a heated public debate arguing that students of science high schools, which are funded by taxpayers to nurture pure science and technology talents, entering medical schools undermines the purpose of establishing special-purpose high schools, and that presenting it as a successful admission is inappropriate.

As the controversy spread, the 'You Quiz' production team apologized on the 11th, stating, "We deeply disappointed viewers due to our ignorance."

Meanwhile, although the government supports science high schools with national funds, there has been criticism that the operation method is inappropriate as high-achieving students flock to medical or pharmacy schools.

In fact, Gyeonggi Science High School and Seoul Science High School have measures such as requiring students who enter medical schools to return about 15 million KRW in education expenses received over three years.