Lee Hyuk-je, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member, Holds Public Debate on 'Jeonnam Education Policy Research Association'

Lee Hyuk-je, a provincial assembly member, is conducting an online public debate on the topic "In the COVID-19 Era, How Should We Prepare for the Student Comprehensive Admissions and the College Scholastic Ability Test?" Photo by Jeonnam Provincial Assembly

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-gyeong] The Jeonnam Provincial Council announced on the 26th that the 'Visiting Jeonnam Education Policy Research Group' held an online public forum on the theme of 'How to Prepare for the Comprehensive Student Record Screening and College Scholastic Ability Test in the COVID-19 Era?' in the Education Committee meeting room.

The public forum was organized to discuss strategic preparation methods for students and parents regarding the comprehensive student record screening and the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting low information accessibility due to remote classes.

Panelists included Kim Gil-yong, Vice Chairman of the Safety, Construction and Fire Committee of the Jeonnam Provincial Council; Professor Kim Seung-ho of Sehan University; Jo Hwan-chae and Lee Gwi-han, college admission support officers from the Jeonnam Office of Education; Kim Seol-o, principal of Maeseong Middle and High School; Yang Hoe-ryong, vice principal of Mokpo Jeil Girls' High School; and Kwon Eun-gyo, English teacher at Jeonnam Foreign Language High School.

Lee Hyuk-je, a council member (Democratic Party, Mokpo 4) who presented, emphasized, "Our Jeonnam education, where over 90% of students apply through early admission, must immediately prepare college admission measures by creating differentiated student records through blended classes tailored to both curricular and extracurricular activities."

He continued, "With the trend of expanding regular admissions, students must prepare for both early admission and the CSAT," and stressed, "A long-term academic improvement plan is necessary to raise Jeonnam's CSAT scores, which remain among the lowest nationwide."

Professor Kim Seung-ho stated, "Basic academic skills for all students are important. It is necessary to conduct academic achievement evaluations at the Jeonnam provincial level for elementary and middle school students and to make joint efforts at the education office and school levels based on academic status analysis," adding, "The foundation of all subjects is literacy, the ability to read and understand Hangul," and argued, "Special programs to cultivate Korean language skills are needed."

College admission support officer Jo Hwan-chae emphasized, "Under the COVID-19 situation, current students are structurally disadvantaged in regular admissions. Active preparation for early admission based on curricular and comprehensive student record screening is essential." Officer Lee Gwi-han also said, "Active participation in curricular classes and school educational activities is a top priority, and even if non-face-to-face online classes are conducted, securing self-directed learning time must come first."

Principal Kim Seol-o argued, "Customized after-school curricular programs should be provided for students wishing to take the CSAT, and overall consulting on curriculum operation and strengthening the expertise of general high school math teachers are necessary." In addition, in-depth discussions were held among various other panelists.

Council member Kim Gil-yong said, "Sufficient budget and personnel support must be provided for regional career and college admission centers for underprivileged Jeonnam education students," and added, "The career and college admission centers should be revitalized by actively benchmarking exemplary cases from other regions."

Finally, council member Lee Hyuk-je stated, "I hope today's forum will be helpful in designing necessary programs to strengthen the college admission screening response capabilities of the education office, students, and parents," and added, "It is necessary to establish education policies with a long-term perspective and prepare students for college admissions in accordance with the new educational environment caused by COVID-19."