Jang Sang-yoon, Deputy Minister of Education, "Fair Education, Autonomy, and Creativity Are Key" (Comprehensive)

Elementary and Secondary Education Emphasize 'Fair Education', Higher Education Highlights 'Autonomy and Creativity'
"Regulations That Private Institutions Like Universities Can Handle Should Be Boldly Relaxed"
Calls for 'Reform and Flexibility' to the Ministry of Education... Emphasizing Transition of the Public Education System

Jang Sang-yoon, Vice Minister of Education, held an inauguration ceremony on the 10th at the Ministry of Education's main conference room in the Government Complex Sejong.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] On the 10th, Jang Sang-yoon, the newly appointed Vice Minister of Education, who took office while the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education remains vacant, mentioned 'fair education' and 'autonomy and creativity' as the core keywords of the new government's education policy.

Vice Minister Jang met with the press corps that day and said, "Among the values of our society, 'fair opportunity' is the most representative area, and in primary and secondary education, 'fair education' is the biggest keyword," adding, "In higher education, autonomy and creativity are key, and regulations should be boldly relaxed where the private sector can perform well."

As a support measure for universities, Vice Minister Jang explained, "There needs to be a track that can boldly support creative talent development programs in higher education," and "We should absorb local talents, create programs tailored to their characteristics, and make them a nutrient for balanced development."

On his first day in office, Vice Minister Jang urged the Ministry of Education for 'reform and flexibility,' emphasizing, "We must boldly discard what should be discarded, actively respond to reforms, and respond flexibly and collaboratively to become a competent ministry." Vice Minister Jang is a former administrative official who served as Director of the Social Policy Coordination Office at the Office for Government Policy Coordination.

Vice Minister Jang stressed, "Since we have to work within the fixed framework of regulations and rules, I ask for efforts to adapt to reality even if it means revising regulations and to try to go beyond them," adding, "The new government has presented a new direction, so to align with it, self-change is necessary."

With the resignation of Kim In-cheol, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education nominee, the Ministry of Education faced the first day of the new government under the acting leadership of Vice Minister Jang.

In his inaugural speech, Vice Minister Jang called for changes in education, including the transition of the public education system. He emphasized, "We must prioritize nurturing future talents through creative education," and "I will lead the overall transition of the public education system so that children can develop their individual talents and aptitudes and grow into mature citizens."

Vice Minister Jang said, "We will establish an innovation foundation so that universities, which are facing crises linked to the sharp decline in the school-age population and regional extinction, can secure competitiveness," adding, "We will support universities to autonomously innovate by leveraging their unique characteristics and strengths, and work to create a sustainable growth ecosystem centered on universities."

Vice Minister Jang stated, "We will expand the base of lifelong education so that all citizens can actively respond to the future society throughout their lives," and "We will strive to reorganize and systematize the entire education system so that education encompasses not only school-age students but all citizens."