Im Tae-hee, Gyeonggi Education Superintendent Preliminary Candidate, "Education Office's One-sided Private Education Regulation Is Problematic"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Im Tae-hee, a preliminary candidate for Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education, strongly criticized the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education's 'restriction on academy operations during exam periods' as a policy solely focused on regulation.

On the 21st, during a meeting with the Seongnam City Academy Association, candidate Im emphasized, "To solve the academic achievement gap in Gyeonggi Province, we need to seek ways for schools and academies to coexist and prosper together," adding, "Rather than solely regulating private education, it would be better to create paths to collaborate in nurturing students' capabilities."

Candidate Im particularly criticized, "How can a country that cannot even allow students to study autonomously (due to academy regulations) prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution?"

Earlier, the Academy Association stated at the meeting, "Academy operators are economic actors in the local community and valuable job providers," asserting, "Academies constitute a major pillar of the local economy and contribute to student care and academic improvement."

However, the Association pointed out, "During exam periods, the Office of Education's regulatory crackdowns on restricted academy operating hours become even more severe," adding, "It would be more important to strengthen public education, but it is regrettable that the focus remains solely on regulation."

They also added, "Education is for students, but currently investments are made not in people but only in schools and facilities," emphasizing, "Education budgets are meant to be spent on students, not just within schools."

In response, candidate Im promised, "This is a concern not only for academy operators but also for parents and educators," and pledged, "I will communicate with those in the education field to carefully examine the roles of the Office of Education and Education Support Offices so that they can become institutions that help education grow."