Revival of Grounds for Maintaining Autonomous and Foreign Language High Schools... "Correcting Uniform Standardization"

Approval of Enforcement Decree Amendment at the Cabinet Meeting on the 16th

The basis for maintaining foreign language high schools, autonomous private high schools, and international high schools, which the previous administration had sought to convert into general high schools, has been reinstated. The Ministry of Education decided to continue operating the latter student selection system to alleviate concerns such as excessive private education.

On the 16th, Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, held a briefing at the Government Seoul Office and announced that the amendment to the "Enforcement Decree of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act," containing these provisions, was approved at the Cabinet meeting that morning. Earlier, in June last year, the Ministry of Education announced the "Plan to Enhance Public Education Competitiveness," stating that autonomous private high schools would be maintained and related enforcement decrees would be amended by the end of the year.

Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education.
Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

The Ministry of Education explained that this policy aims to respect educational diversity and choice. Since the previous administration's policy to convert these schools into general high schools could lead to uniform standardization, it seeks to guarantee students' and parents' educational choices to enable diverse and creative education within public education.

Regarding concerns from some quarters that autonomous private high schools, foreign language high schools, and international high schools cause high school hierarchy and excessive private education, preventive measures have been proposed. The Ministry of Education views the "latter student selection method" and the "self-directed learning screening," which assesses school life fidelity through internal grades and personality interviews, as effective in curbing private education and has decided to continue operating them.

The amendment also includes mandatory selection of local talents. According to the revised enforcement decree, autonomous private high schools, foreign language high schools, and international high schools must operate social integration screening and select at least 20% of students from middle schools located in the high school's area to fulfill social responsibilities.

Furthermore, the basis for conducting performance evaluations to ensure the sound operation of autonomous private high schools, foreign language high schools, and international high schools will be restored. Education superintendents can evaluate school operation performance and, if deemed necessary, request the school to establish and implement improvement plans.