Indication of Withdrawal of Enrollment for Age 5... Jang Sang-yoon Says "Not a Position to Continue Pushing"

During National Assembly Education Committee Report, Deputy Minister Jang Sang-yoon States Position on Enrollment Policy for 5-Year-Olds: "Difficult to Implement in Reality"

Jang Sang-yoon, Vice Minister of Education, attended the full meeting of the Education Committee held at the National Assembly on the 17th and presented an explanation of the supplementary budget proposal. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Education stated on the 9th that the policy to reform the school system to enroll children at age 5 is "practically difficult to implement."

On the 9th, Deputy Minister Jang Sang-yoon appeared before the National Assembly's Education Committee and said, "The government does not insist on or intend to push forward with that plan."

The National Assembly's Education Committee demanded a clear stance from the Ministry of Education, saying that confusion has continued since the announcement of the policy to enroll children at age 5.

Deputy Minister Jang responded, "I cannot say here that the (age 5 enrollment) policy is being scrapped, but I judge that it has become practically difficult to proceed."

This was in response to Education Committee Chairman Yoo Ki-hong's repeated question, "Can we interpret this as the policy being scrapped?" Although the Ministry of Education did not explicitly mention "withdrawal," it is interpreted as meaning that the policy will not continue to be pursued in the existing manner.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Park Soon-ae resigned on the 8th, stating, "I take responsibility for all controversies including the school system reform," but did not provide a clear position regarding the policy withdrawal.

Deputy Minister Jang also explained the background of including the age 5 enrollment policy in the presidential office report by the Ministry of Education.

Deputy Minister Jang said, "The proposal to lower the entrance age for first grade of elementary school was reported as one suggestion during the office report, and the content of the report was to officially start social discussions on the matter. However, during the briefing process, it was reported as if the policy had been finalized, causing misunderstandings. We tried to correct this in various ways, but it was very difficult afterward."

He added, "The purpose of the policy itself was to strengthen the state's responsibility in education and childcare. We will keep all possibilities open and gather public opinions and expert advice on various ways to achieve the fundamental goal of strengthening the state's responsibility for education."

Regarding criticism that the Ministry bypassed the National Assembly by omitting prior consultations not only with opposition parties but also with the ruling party during the announcement of the school system reform plan, Deputy Minister Jang said, "It was a shortcoming and a part we must reflect on."