The 'Abolition of Foreign Language High Schools' Policy Announced Without Notice... Deputy Prime Minister Park Sunae Remains 'Out of Sight'

Deputy Prime Minister Park "Abolish Foreign Language High Schools or Convert Them to General High Schools"
Public "Rushed Policy Announced Unilaterally Without Consultation"

The Ministry of Education has become embroiled in controversy after proposing the policy to abolish foreign language high schools following the debate over the elementary school entrance age. In response, the public is expressing concerns, saying, "Are you rushing through sensitive education policies?" The photo shows Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Park Soon-ae speaking at a meeting with parent organizations regarding the lowering of the school entrance age, held on the 2nd at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Park Soon-ae

[Asia Economy Culture Young Intern Reporter] Even before the controversy over lowering the elementary school entrance age has ended, a new debate is growing over the high school system reform plan, including foreign language high schools (Oegos). Some critics argue that the plan differs from the contents of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's national agenda and that sensitive education policies are being pushed hastily.

The controversy over abolishing Oegos arose on the 29th of last month when Park Soon-ae, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, stated in a pre-briefing for the presidential work report that "we are considering abolishing Oegos or converting them into general high schools." After strong backlash, on the 5th, the Ministry of Education took a step back, saying, "In the case of foreign language high schools aimed at nurturing foreign language specialists, we are reviewing various measures in a developmental direction to cultivate talents suitable for future society, such as foreign language specialized schools."

Both the previously controversial plan to lower the elementary school entrance age and the consideration of abolishing Oegos have provoked sensitive public reactions because they involve changing the fundamental structure of the system. Moreover, since these issues were not mentioned in previous presidential pledges or national agendas, attention is focused on how they were included in the presidential work report.

Previously, the Moon Jae-in administration planned to uniformly convert autonomous private high schools (Jasago), Oegos, and international high schools into general high schools by March 1, 2025, on the grounds that these schools promote school hierarchy. However, since the Yoon Seok-yeol administration has been promoting high school diversification, it was widely expected that these schools would be maintained.

However, on the 29th, Deputy Prime Minister Park unexpectedly announced the policy to abolish Oegos during the pre-briefing for the presidential work report. Park said, "While autonomous private high schools will be maintained, we are considering abolishing or converting Oegos into general high schools, transforming them into a format that has special purposes through various curricula, not only foreign languages."

Furthermore, at the regular briefing on the 1st, Ministry of Education spokesperson Choi Seong-bu reaffirmed the abolition consideration policy, stating, "Since Oegos have aspects that do not fit future society, we are reviewing their abolition or conversion into foreign language specialized schools."

The unexpected announcement has left Oegos and parents nationwide feeling bewildered.

The National Association of Foreign Language High School Principals, composed of principals from 30 Oegos nationwide, issued a statement on the 1st criticizing, "This policy is anachronistic and anti-educational," and condemned the unilateral announcement of education policy without discussion or public hearings. The National Federation of Oego Parents also held a press conference on the 5th demanding, "Minister of Education Park Soon-ae, who hastily announced an education policy that is a long-term plan for a hundred years, must resign immediately."

Education experts have also expressed concerns about the hasty education administration that announces and then reverses policies significantly affecting the education field, such as the abolition or maintenance of Oegos and Jasagos, without proper measures.

As public opinion worsened, the Ministry of Education changed its stance to "reviewing various measures." However, it explained that its position to prepare a high school system reform plan, including Oegos, by the end of the year remains unchanged.

Amid ongoing controversy, Deputy Prime Minister Park is expected to keep a low profile for the time being. It is known that Park has canceled most public schedules since announcing the second semester quarantine and academic operation plan on the 4th.