Im Taehee Preliminary Candidate "Gyeonggi Education Facing Serious Issues Like Academic Decline and Integrity Drop"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Im Tae-hee, a preliminary candidate for Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education, claimed that during the 13 years of 'progressive superintendents' from 2009 to 2022, the academic performance of students in Gyeonggi Province declined, and the integrity of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education has remained at rock bottom, emphasizing the need for a fresh change.

On the 3rd, through a press release, preliminary candidate Im Tae-hee pointed out, "The issue of declining academic achievement among students in the province is serious," adding, "Even before COVID-19, there was already an increasing trend of students falling below basic academic skills and a decrease in students with average or above-average skills, and the situation has worsened due to COVID-19."

He especially emphasized, "We must no longer neglect this decline in academic performance among Gyeonggi students," calling it "the first task that must be resolved with the pride of Gyeonggi residents at stake."

As measures to overcome the decline in academic performance, he proposed ▲ AI high-tech customized public education ▲ active utilization of out-of-school educational capabilities ▲ diversification of after-school programs ▲ strengthening digital competencies.

Preliminary candidate Im identified 'Innovative Schools' as one of the biggest failures during the '13 years of progressive superintendents.'

He criticized, "Innovative Schools, originally established to promote holistic education, need continuous management to encourage creative and proactive learning, but also require a major overhaul to improve academic ability and link to university admission rates. By differentiating themselves from regular schools under the name of innovation, they have ultimately only caused relative deprivation among students in regular schools."

Innovative Schools were introduced in 2009 during the tenure of former Minister of Education Kim Sang-gon, who was then the Superintendent of Education in Gyeonggi Province. Starting with 13 schools in the first year of introduction in 2009, the number increased to a staggering 1,393 schools this year, the last year of current Superintendent Lee Jae-jung’s term. This accounts for 59% of all schools in the province.

Preliminary candidate Im argued, "Contrary to the original purpose, Innovative Schools have caused serious side effects such as declining academic performance among students. Even if the purpose is good, without proper methods and conditions, it is an unrealistic plan. Therefore, Innovative Schools, Dream Schools, and Dream Universities all need to be adjusted to fit the field."

He also raised concerns about the integrity of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education.

Preliminary candidate Im stated, "The dark 'shadow' of the '13 years of progressive superintendents' is the integrity of the Gyeonggi Office of Education," pointing out, "Based on the comprehensive integrity scores from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission's 'Public Institution Integrity Measurement Results,' the Gyeonggi Office of Education has remained in the lower ranks with five 4th-grade and three 3rd-grade ratings since 2014."

In fact, the Gyeonggi Office of Education received a 4th-grade rating for four consecutive years from 2014 to 2017, rose one level to 3rd grade in 2018, maintained 3rd grade in 2019, dropped back to 4th grade in 2020, and rose again to 3rd grade last year.

Preliminary candidate Im explained that among the 17 city and provincial offices of education nationwide last year, only three?Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education, Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education, and Sejong Metropolitan Office of Education?received lower ratings than the Gyeonggi Office of Education.

He concluded, "Gyeonggi Province is the center of education in the Republic of Korea, and if Gyeonggi education changes and is renewed, the entire education system of Korea can change. We cannot leave Gyeonggi education as it is. It must be renewed."