Lee Ju-ho emphasizes communication efforts at press conference
"Carrot? Stick?" When asked, "Persuasion stage"
Regarding concerns about 'AI textbook', "It started from the previous administration"
"Will focus on stabilizing 2028 college entrance reform"
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho expressed frustration over the medical sector strike caused by the increase in medical school quotas, stating, "The wall of distrust between the government and the medical community is so high that even though the government proposes and implements various policies, it is not trusted by the medical community."
At a press briefing held on the 12th at the Korea Education Facilities Safety Institute in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Deputy Prime Minister Lee said, "We have put forward various measures and made efforts over the past six months, but medical students have not yet returned."
He emphasized that the government is continuously trying to communicate with medical students. Deputy Prime Minister Lee explained, "The Ministry of Education is making efforts for one-on-one communication between department heads and 40 medical schools," adding, "Recently, for nine national medical schools, we even dispatched one person separately." He reiterated, "However, we will continue to make every effort to persuade with sincerity," and stressed, "I believe it is time for the students to return."
When asked whether there was any intention to use a "carrot and stick" approach after only offering incentives, he replied, "At this point, it is the stage to make a final appeal to the students, show sincerity, not give up hope, and continue persuading." He also said, "It is now time to consider protecting the learning rights of next year's medical school freshmen," and added, "We are continuing consultations with individual universities."
Deputy Prime Minister Lee also clarified the Ministry of Education's policy on the 'AI (Artificial Intelligence) Digital Textbook,' which is planned to be implemented next year. In response to concerns that the policy is perceived as 'Lee Ju-ho's policy' and might be discontinued if the deputy prime minister or administration changes, he said, "The digital textbook did not suddenly fall from the sky," explaining, "It is an educational curriculum that has been publicized and introduced since the previous administration." He further clarified, "Teacher training was proposed last year as a bill by former National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo," emphasizing, "It has been carried out regardless of conservative or progressive political views."
Regarding concerns from the field, he acknowledged, "There are parts that have not yet been sufficiently explained to parents and teachers during the actual implementation process," and admitted, "I believe the promotion was also insufficient." He added, "Since the starting point is March next year, if we make promotional efforts and prepare the field from now on, I believe it can be introduced without major difficulties," and said, "If we conduct large-scale 'visiting training' for 150,000 teachers in the second half of the year, such concerns may be dispelled."
In response to criticism that there have been frequent changes in admission policies recently, such as the 'exclusion of killer questions,' 'increase in medical school quotas,' and 'expansion of non-major admissions,' Deputy Prime Minister Lee explained, "The policy to exclude killer questions is burdensome because it is a change itself, but it is not a change in the admission system; it is about securing fairness." He added, "The '2028 College Entrance Examination System Reform' was inevitable to change admissions in line with major curriculum changes such as the high school credit system." He concluded, "I believe the Ministry of Education should focus on ensuring the smooth establishment of the 2028 admission system in the field."
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