[Jeong Gyu-yeong's Presidential Election and College Admission⑩·End] Proper Education Is the Hope of the Nation

Editor's NoteAsia Economy has been running a series of expert contributions since December last year to improve the structural problems of education in the Republic of Korea and to suggest necessary policy directions. This is a proposal from Jung Kyu-young, chairman of the nonprofit organization 'Gongbuhaneun Seonsu Undonghaneun Haksaeng' (Studying Athletes, Athletic Students). Chairman Jung studied at Stanford University Graduate School in the United States and served as president of the university's fencing association. He analyzed the selection process of outstanding students from various countries overseas and the elementary, middle, and high school education courses these students completed. Based on this, since 2008, he has been promoting an educational system that combines study and sports, as well as scholarship projects, to establish the U.S. education system and school sports system domestically. Drawing on his experience, this contribution addresses stories worth referencing in domestic public education and university entrance examination systems. This is now the tenth and final story.

☞ Reference

① Speaking about education to the President of the Republic of Korea

② The College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) is not a bar exam

③ The CSAT should be a source of hope and opportunity for students

④ A selection method that nurtures students' 'HOOK' is needed

⑤ 'Eummiche' (Music, Art, Physical Education) is as important as Korean, English, and Math

⑥ Reflect character education in university admissions

⑦ The policy of equalizing middle and high school education should be abolished

⑧ Teachers should be freed from civil servant status

⑨ Create schools where students remain even after school hours

Jung Kyu-young, President of the Studying Athletes Exercising Students Association

With 13 days left until the 20th presidential election, candidates from both ruling and opposition parties are releasing numerous pledges. Nevertheless, the education-related pledges of major presidential candidates appear insufficient. As this series concludes, I earnestly appeal once again to presidential candidates, politicians, and administrators. Education is the most important factor that determines the future and value of a nation. The value of education is as immense as the nation's cultural heritage, tourist resources, and popular arts and culture.

Education also contributes to the healthy development of the people's mind and body. Where do students learn the difference between liberal democracy and democracy? Where do they learn that hanbok is the traditional clothing of Korea? Where do they learn to follow rules and applaud the winner? Where does respect for the soldiers who sacrificed for the country come from? Where should students learn which presidential candidate is making unrealistic pledges? Schools should not be places where only difficult math problems and English grammar are taught.

Korean education must start with changes to the university entrance examination system. Along with changes in the entrance exam system, elementary, middle, and high school education will naturally change. The government only needs to provide the necessary support for this change. Therefore, I summarize the main directions for educational improvement I have proposed through this series.

First, the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) should be an easy exam that applicants nationwide and foreigners can take. It should be possible to achieve high scores with minimal school instruction.

Second, the university admission process should adopt the easy CSAT as the basic test and verify the ability to complete major courses and character through subject-specific CSATs, interviews, high school grades, and recommendation letters.

Third, the proportion of 'Eummiche' (music, art, physical education) should be increased in university admissions, and sports teams at general universities, not just sports-specialized colleges, should be composed of regular student athletes. Thus, except for arts or sports specialized colleges, the term 'special talent student' should not exist in general universities. However, if regular students demonstrate outstanding skills in Eummiche, this should be reflected in admissions just as students who win math competitions are recognized.

Fourth, universities should be given freedom in student selection. Recognizing student selection as a university's inherent right, as in the UK and the US, can enhance the global competitiveness of universities. Tax reduction benefits for university donors should be increased, and tax reductions and other benefits for companies conducting industry-academic research with universities should be expanded. Only when substantial funding flows into university education can universities become stronger and scholarship systems become richer. To revive declining local universities, interest and support from alumni, local residents, and regional companies are more effective than government support.

Fifth, to encourage regular students to value Eummiche subjects as much as Korean, English, and Math, many teachers specialized in Eummiche should be hired in elementary, middle, and high schools. Also, nationwide middle and high schools should operate sports teams composed of regular students, not sports-specialized students, and establish a nationwide school sports league where these teams compete. This can be expected to activate recreational sports and local sports clubs and be effective for employment of retired athletes.

Above all, I hope the new president, to be decided on March 9, will prioritize the value and importance of education with a vision for the next 100 years of Korean education. I believe that only those who have received proper education can be the hope to lead the nation's future.

Jung Kyu-young, Chairman of (Nonprofit) Gongbuhaneun Seonsu Undonghaneun Haksaeng and CEO of Lorus Enterprise