National Education Committee Approves Curriculum Change Reflecting 'Retention of Autonomous Private High Schools'

The National Education Committee, an administrative committee under the President, has finalized the 'National Curriculum Establishment and Amendment Plan' reflecting the preservation of foreign language high schools and autonomous private high schools.

On the 9th, the National Education Committee held its 33rd meeting at the Government Seoul Office, where it reviewed and approved the 'National Curriculum Establishment and Amendment Plan' and discussed the appointment of members to the 'Special Committee on Reducing Private Education Expenses.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The National Education Committee has been discussing policies related to the curriculum, including the maintenance of foreign language high schools, international high schools, and autonomous private high schools, the reform of the high school system, the 2028 college entrance examination system reform, and the activation of middle school sports clubs. At this meeting, based on previous discussions, it finalized the national curriculum establishment and amendment plan.

The revised curriculum specifies the basis for these schools to continue operating their curricula smoothly, as the 'foreign language and international track high schools' and 'autonomous high schools,' which were once at risk of being abolished, will be preserved.

As a follow-up measure to the 2028 college entrance examination reform, the plan includes provisions to allow students to take elective subjects (general electives, career electives, integrated electives) in a balanced manner, considering their career paths and aptitudes, and to expand the hours for middle school sports club activities.

At the same meeting, the National Education Committee also discussed the appointment of members to a special committee aimed at exploring ways to reduce the burden of private education expenses. A National Education Committee official explained, "The establishment and amendment of the national curriculum will be announced in August and applied in schools starting from the 2025 academic year."