Lee Ju-ho: "Yubo Integration Should Not Proceed as Uniform and Standardized Integration"

Visit to Songpa Wirye Kindergarten and Wirye Aisup Daycare Center in Seoul

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, expressed his position that there will be no uniform or one-size-fits-all integration regarding the controversy over the integration of early childhood education and care.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the same day, the Deputy Prime Minister visited Songpa Wirye Kindergarten and Wirye Aisup Daycare Center in Seoul consecutively, stating, "I am well aware that teachers and parents on the ground have concerns about the integration of early childhood education and care," and added, "The integration cannot be pursued in a way that simply enforces uniform or one-size-fits-all consolidation between institutions or worsens the current educational and care conditions."

Earlier, the government announced plans to integrate the management system of early childhood education and care, which was divided between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, into the Ministry of Education and local education offices starting in 2025, and to convert existing kindergartens and daycare centers into new integrated institutions.

However, concerns have arisen that it will take considerable time before the actual integration of early childhood education and care is realized due to ongoing controversies over the teacher training system and the unification of treatment for kindergarten and daycare teachers.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized, "We have announced a blueprint for integration so that our children can enjoy excellent education and care services without discrimination from the moment they are born," and added, "Even before the full implementation of the integration, we will work hard to narrow the gaps one by one to lay the foundation for integration."

He further stated, "We will spare no support in cooperation with related institutions to eliminate gaps between institutions that could lead to developmental disparities among children."

He continued, "The specific form of integration will be developed under principles that ensure parents can feel reassured and that guarantee the autonomy and diversity of institution operations," and said, "We will gather wisdom together with the Early Childhood Education and Care Integration Promotion Committee, teachers on the ground, parents, and everyone involved to carefully create measures one by one."

Regarding the reform of the teacher training system and teacher treatment issues, the Deputy Prime Minister drew a clear line, stating, "Even if the teacher qualification and training system are reformed, the qualification and status are separate, and there will be no change to the status of public kindergarten and daycare teachers as educational public officials."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education plans to prepare a draft plan for the teacher qualification and training system reform for the new institution to be created through the integration by the end of this year and finalize it by the end of next year.