Superintendent Im Taehee: "Seoul National University Professors' Association's University Admission Reform Proposal Directly Contradicts Future Education"

Im Taehee, Superintendent of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, strongly criticized the Seoul National University Professors' Association's proposal for university admission reform on the 18th, stating that it "directly contradicts the future direction of education being promoted by provincial and metropolitan offices of education nationwide."

Superintendent Im attended the '2025 Major Tasks In-depth Discussion Meeting' held at the Southern Office of Education of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education on this day, where he voiced his opposition to the Seoul National University Professors' Association's proposal by presenting three main issues.

First, he argued, "The plan to expand the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) advocated by the Professors' Association does not align with helping our students develop and grow the competencies needed for the future," adding, "This is in direct conflict with the future direction of education."

Im Taehee, Superintendent of Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, attended the '2025 Major Tasks In-depth Discussion Meeting' held at the Southern Office of Education in Gwanggyo New Town, Suwon, on the 18th, expressing opposition to the Seoul National University Professors' Association's proposal for university admission reform. Provided by Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education

He further stated, "Future-oriented education does not focus on memorization or knowledge acquisition, but rather on fostering self-directed learning, creativity, problem-solving skills, and fundamental character for living together. The proposal does not align with this educational essence."

He continued, "The Ministry of Education, together with the National Education Commission, has already announced a reform plan for 2028 that emphasizes expanding essay and written assessments to foster critical thinking, and shifting from ranking-based to absolute evaluation. The direction that the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education is preparing for 2032 also aims to complete this transition, which is completely inconsistent with the current university admission reform being proposed."

He went on to point out, "The proposal to increase the number of CSATs to three or four times a year will only increase excessive test burdens and expand the private education market. I question whether this suggestion is made with a true understanding of the realities in early childhood, elementary, and secondary education, and whether it is appropriate for the Seoul National University Professors' Association, which is expected to lead the future of Korea, to make such a proposal."

Superintendent Im particularly emphasized, "Gyeonggi education is aiming to become a future-oriented education office in order to cultivate the competencies students need for their futures," adding, "We are focusing all our efforts on restoring the true essence of education."

Previously, on April 14, the Seoul National University Professors' Association announced and submitted to the government and universities its 'Proposal for Education Reform in Korea,' which includes measures such as integrating middle and high schools and allowing multiple sittings of the CSAT, with the aim of breaking away from uniform ranking systems.