'First Three-Term' Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon, 10th Anniversary of Inauguration... "Will Continue Sustainable Innovation"

Seoul Superintendent of Education's 10th Anniversary Press Conference
Forum Held to Evaluate Achievements and Challenges, White Paper Published
Focus on Resolving Educational Inequality During Term
"Community-Type Schools to Continue Sustainable Education"

Jo Hee-yeon, the first three-term Superintendent of Education of Seoul, held a press conference to mark the 10th anniversary of his inauguration. He emphasized the achievements of bold innovations over the past decade, including the conversion of autonomous private high schools to general high schools and the establishment of special classes, highlighting sustainable innovation.

On the 2nd, Superintendent Jo held a press conference at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education to mark his 10th anniversary in office, explaining, "The innovation education of the past 10 years has been a process of normalizing elementary and secondary education in terms of systems and culture." In his first year as superintendent in 2014, he implemented the 'Classroom Revolution Project,' which reorganized the curriculum to be student-centered. In particular, he gained recognition by attempting to convert autonomous private high schools into general high schools through the 'Era of General High Schools' plan to resolve the issue of high school hierarchy.

Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, is delivering a greeting at the 'Drug Response Business Agreement Ceremony for a Healthy Drug-Free City Seoul' held at Seoul City Hall on the 19th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso67@

Superintendent Jo emphasized that he focused on eliminating educational inequality during his term. He expanded free school meals, which were extended to elementary and middle schools in 2014, to kindergartens by 2022. Additionally, to provide educational opportunities for special needs students, he established Seoul Narae School, a public special school, in 2019 and Seoul Seojin School in 2020.

He also explained that to address the decline in basic academic skills following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education developed and introduced the 'Seoul Student Literacy and Numeracy Diagnostic Test,' the first of its kind nationwide. Last year, the diagnostic test was introduced in 210 elementary, middle, and high schools (about 45,000 students), and this year it is planned to be conducted in 500 schools (about 100,000 students).

Regarding the decline in teacher authority made visible after the 'Seoi Elementary School Incident' last year, comprehensive measures to protect teachers' educational activities were established, supporting educational activities, conflict resolution, and healing. Customized support measures for teachers, such as the Emergency Support Team for Educational Activity Protection (SEM119) and teacher liability insurance, were also introduced during his term.

Superintendent Jo emphasizes sustainable education. To this end, ecological transition education has been strengthened in school curricula, and experiential resource circulation education practice schools and carbon-zero practice leading schools have been designated. Furthermore, in preparation for the declining school-age population, the 'Urban Campus' project, where schools coexist with public housing and office facilities in urban areas, is also being promoted.

He pledged to continue pursuing educational innovation during the remainder of his term. In particular, he stated that he would support the entire process of curriculum, instruction, and assessment to enhance learners' critical and creative thinking skills. To this end, he explained that an 'IB (International Baccalaureate) exploratory school' is being operated, and the 'Seoul Integrated Online School' will be supported to implement the high school credit system starting next year. He also mentioned that through the reading campaign 'Book Wave,' launched this year, efforts will be made to improve literacy nationwide.

[Source=Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education]

He emphasized building a 'community-type school' for sustainable innovative education. Superintendent Jo said, "The Seoi Elementary School Incident should not end merely with healing the wounds," adding, "We will actively support schools to form a community-type school culture based on the three respects: students' respect for teachers, teachers' respect for students, and parents' cooperation with school education." He also promised to establish a 'Student Customized Integrated Support System' this year to provide tailored integrated support for students facing complex difficulties to eliminate educational inequality.

Later this month, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will hold four sessions of the forum titled 'Reflection on 10 Years, Leaping into the Future' to evaluate the achievements and shortcomings of policies pursued over the past decade. About 20 teachers, students, and academic experts will participate in discussions and dialogues at the forum. Additionally, at the press conference, a white paper titled 'A Little More, Anew, Together,' documenting 10 years of Seoul education, was unveiled.