Introduction of Digital Textbooks and AI Tutors from 2025
Unified Kindergarten and Elementary Education from January Next Year, Elementary Neulbom Schools Also from Next Year
University Regulation Reform, Local University Management Authority Transferred to Local Governments
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho is attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 8th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho emphasized basic academic skills as a 'human right' and announced plans to achieve educational reform through personalized education utilizing digital technology.
On the 15th, Deputy Prime Minister Lee stated at the National Task Review Meeting held at the Blue House State Guest House, "Basic academic skills are the foundational competencies and fundamental human rights that enable every child to realize their dreams," adding, "The core of educational reform is education based on the principle and common sense of properly teaching what needs to be taught."
Deputy Prime Minister Lee said that from 2025, personalized education using digital textbooks and AI (artificial intelligence) tutors will be introduced. He explained, "The basic policy is to ensure that regardless of the family one is born into or the region one lives in, they can acquire the competencies required by industry and society."
Deputy Prime Minister Lee said, "Now is the era when bringing AI or digital technology into learning environments makes personalized education possible," adding, "Through digital textbooks and AI tutors, we will guarantee every child's basic academic skills, and teachers will focus on creativity and character development to awaken dormant classrooms."
Starting in 2025, the integration of kindergartens and daycare centers will be fully implemented, and elementary school aftercare classrooms and after-school programs will also be strengthened.
He also clearly stated the policy to relinquish the Ministry of Education's authority over managing local universities so that regional universities can establish themselves as hubs driving regional growth. Plans to strengthen talent cultivation in the semiconductor, digital, and biohealth sectors are also underway.
Deputy Prime Minister Lee said, "Good education should be accessible no matter where one lives, and regional universities must become hubs of regional innovation," adding, "We will boldly transfer the centralized authority of the Ministry of Education to local governments and reform regulations."
He added, "Through personalized educational reform, dormant classrooms will awaken, raising the quality of child-rearing, revitalizing regions, and enabling our talents to become leaders on the global stage."
On the same day, President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized that higher education drives national competitiveness and that fostering local universities is the foundation for regional development.
President Yoon said, "Higher education, starting from high school education and progressing to universities, must focus on strengthening our national competitiveness," adding, "Higher education is the source and core of national competitiveness."
President Yoon stated, "As soon as Deputy Prime Minister Lee took office, he announced plans to transfer the Ministry of Education's authority over local universities to provincial governors, and I have always thought the same," adding, "Through special accounts for higher education, local universities will be fostered, and if there are good middle and high school educational facilities in the regions, many good companies will come to the provinces."
He continued, "Deputy Prime Minister Lee has recently conducted extensive research on using AI edutech to bridge the gap between local areas and the metropolitan area," adding, "By effectively applying digital AI technology in the field, if parents come to recognize that it is fine to move to the provinces while accessing good technology, it will promote regional development."
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