③Fear of falling behind drives increase in private education
"All my friends are going to English camps, should my child too?"
Studying ahead in high school math by 5th grade, even studying away from home
Private tutoring to prepare for English kindergarten entrance test at age 7
"I've heard from others that kids go to overseas English camps during vacation, but I'm worried," "All my child's friends are going to English camps, should I send mine too?"
As summer vacation approaches, parents have become busy. English camps, where children stay for a period in English-speaking countries such as the U.S., the Philippines, and Australia to study, have spread like a trend, leading more parents to worry about whether they should enroll their children in these camps.
On the 13th, several questions were posted on online mom cafe communities regarding schedules and costs of English camps suitable for children’s ages and English proficiency levels. English camps offer the advantage of increased language exposure in English-speaking countries during the relatively free vacation period, but the cost is considerable due to the need to stay abroad for a certain time. Costs vary depending on the country and duration, ranging from as low as 2 to 3 million KRW to over 10 million KRW in some cases.
A parent of three children posted on a tutoring consultation board, saying, "After reading posts on the cafe, I suddenly feel drawn to the English camp," adding, "We are an ordinary family, and my husband would probably say I'm crazy if I mention it, but it seems like it would be a lifelong memory for the kids. Would a month-long English camp be okay?"
In education-driven areas like Gangnam, Seoul, there is even talk of a predetermined route once a child is born. When a child turns five, they are sent to an English kindergarten to create a familiar environment with English, and by age seven, preparations must be made to enter a prestigious elementary English academy. Among parents, there is talk that without preparing for academy level tests through native speaker tutoring, children cannot enter famous English academies. The high barrier of English academy level tests is humorously referred to as the '7-year-old exam.'
Some even choose 'local study abroad' to send their children to English kindergartens. Kim (39, Gangnam-gu, Seoul), who has a 7-year-old child, shared, "Sending kids to English kindergartens in Seoul is expensive and highly competitive," adding, "So some mothers rent houses in other regions to send their kids to English kindergartens." He continued, "Past exam questions for English kindergarten and academy level tests circulate in mom cafes," explaining, "They train their children in advance before sending them."
!["Everyone's Doing It" English Camp and Elementary Medical Class Crowded with Visitors [Dito Society]](https://cphoto.asiae.co.kr/listimglink/1/2024050308584660512_1714694326.jpg)
In education-intense academy districts like Mokdong and Daechi-dong in Seoul, signs for 'Elementary Medical School Prep Classes' are not uncommon. The government's policy to increase medical school quotas has ignited early advanced learning even among elementary students.
According to a survey by the education civic group 'Society Without Private Education Worries' (Sawokse) on the 1st, some elementary medical prep classes offer ultra-fast advanced education. In particular, G Academy in Daechi, Gangnam, teaches math 1 for high school sophomores to 5th-grade elementary students, which is 14 times ahead of the normal curriculum. The academy’s medical prime class for 3rd and 4th graders also progresses at a pace 10 times faster than the standard curriculum.
Gu Bon-chang, Policy Director at Society Without Private Education Worries, pointed out that in the 'zero-sum' education structure, both parents and children face intense pressure, pushing them into excessive private education. Gu said, "Who would want to keep their child awake to study?" and added, "The perception that one must win through private education in a competitive education system is strong, forcing parents to push their children into the education market from early childhood." He expressed concern, saying, "We must not create a structure where university entrance exams are everything," and emphasized, "Reducing private education without changing the overall education structure is practically impossible."
He further criticized, saying, "Not all children can be winners through advanced learning and private education," and "There is a vicious cycle where young children drop out from stress before even reaching 3rd grade, or even after running through private education until high school, some perceive themselves as losers." He added, "Parents suffer from excessive private education costs, and children suffer from study labor," concluding, "Trying to solve low birth rates within such a structure is absurd."
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