The Regional Balanced Talent Development Act Passed in the National Assembly Plenary Session
Strengthened Regional Talent Criteria... Starting from the 2028 College Entrance Exam
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] From the 2023 academic year, a bill mandating the selection of local talents at regional medical schools, pharmacy schools, and law schools has been passed by the National Assembly.
On the 26th, the Ministry of Education announced that the "Act on the Promotion of Local Universities and Regional Balanced Talent Development" containing these provisions passed the plenary session of the National Assembly.
The amendment mandates the selection of local talents at regional medical schools, pharmacy schools, nursing colleges, and law schools, which was previously a recommendation, starting from the 2023 college admissions.
The criteria for local talents have been strengthened to students who graduate from middle schools outside the metropolitan area and high schools located in the same region as the university, and who have resided in the region during their enrollment period. Currently, only graduates from high schools in the university's region are defined.
However, the strengthened local talent requirements will apply to students entering middle school from the 2022 academic year and will be enforced in college admissions from the 2028 academic year.
The "School Sports Promotion Act" was also partially amended. Student athletes who do not meet the minimum academic standards will be prohibited from participating in competitions designated by the Ministry of Education. School principals must provide these students with separate basic academic support programs.
Additionally, when student athletes inevitably stay in dormitories due to competition participation, school principals are required to take necessary measures to protect the safety and human rights of the student athletes.
On the same day, the National Assembly passed the "Higher Education Act," which mandates the establishment of human rights centers at universities to protect human rights and improve rights, including prevention and response to sexual harassment and sexual violence within the scope of the centers' duties.
The amendment to the Higher Education Act also establishes the basis for junior colleges to establish and operate professional technical master's programs to cultivate highly skilled technical talents and to award professional technical master's degrees to graduates.
The "Act on the Establishment of Accounts and Financial Operation of National Universities" was partially amended to allow national universities to utilize proceeds from the sale of national property that has been decommissioned.
Furthermore, the "Special Act on the Improvement of Teachers' Status and Protection of Educational Activities" was partially amended to enable enforcement through regulatory orders and fines by the competent authority if school corporations fail to comply with the cancellation of teacher disciplinary actions even after final confirmation.
To promote the installation of school complex facilities, the "Act on the Installation, Operation, and Management of School Complex Facilities" amendment passed, expanding the scope of facilities and clarifying the installation and operation entities. It also stipulates responsibilities for ensuring student safety measures and establishes the basis for designating specialized institutions to support the installation and operation of complex facilities.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
