Gwangju Education Superintendent Preliminary Candidate Lee Jeong-seon Opposes Maintaining Autonomous Private High Schools and Full Revival of National Standardized Tests

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Lee Jeong-seon, a preliminary candidate for Gwangju Superintendent of Education, criticized on the 13th, "I clearly oppose the maintenance of autonomous private high schools and the full revival of the nationwide standardized test, which are key pledges of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol."

In a press release on the same day, Candidate Lee stated, "To nurture talents suitable for future society, education that maximizes the capabilities of each student based on diversity is necessary."

He explained, "In the case of autonomous private high schools, they create a sense of alienation among students, and the educational outcomes largely stem from the selection effect. We should abolish autonomous private high schools, where support is concentrated on a few students, and focus on creating an educational foundation where all students can receive quality education."

He continued, "Regarding the nationwide standardized test, I oppose its full revival because it is highly likely to rank all students by the same standard. True education is about creating 'various success formulas' where all students can succeed in their respective fields by leveraging their aptitudes and strengths, rather than a few students succeeding based on grades," he emphasized.

However, concerning the basic academic skills diagnosis, he stated, "The 'basic academic skills diagnosis and improvement test' to enhance the basic academic skills that have deteriorated due to COVID-19 should be conducted differently from the nationwide standardized test, and thorough measures are needed through edutech or blended learning that enables both online and offline study for accurate diagnosis."

He added, "In the post-Fourth Industrial Revolution future society, various success formulas exist, and education must play a role in giving students confidence that they can all succeed in their respective fields. I urge President-elect Yoon to focus more on future-oriented education."