Ministry of Education Recommends Changing Selection Methods
for English Academies for Young Children
A survey found that 23 English academies for young children nationwide are conducting preliminary placement tests known as "level tests." There have been criticisms that these level tests, often referred to as the "age seven exam," are fueling excessive competition. In response, the Ministry of Education has recommended that these academies change their student selection methods.
Children who have finished their classes at an English kindergarten in the academy district of Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul are boarding the kindergarten bus. Photo by Kang Jinhyung
The Ministry of Education announced on September 4 that, together with 17 metropolitan and provincial education offices, it conducted a comprehensive inspection of 728 childcare centers nationwide for young children (offering more than four hours of instruction per day) from May to July. As a result, a total of 384 violations of laws and regulations were discovered at 260 locations. This is the first time the education authorities have conducted a full-scale inspection targeting so-called "English kindergartens."
A total of 433 administrative actions were taken against these English kindergartens. These included 14 cases of suspension of instruction, 70 fines, 248 penalty points or correction orders, and 101 administrative guidance measures.
Fifteen institutions were found to have improperly used the term "kindergarten" in their names, even though they are not legally classified as kindergartens. These institutions were fined.
It was found that a total of 23 English kindergartens conduct preliminary level tests. Of these, three use the tests for student selection, while 20 use them for class placement purposes. By region, Seoul had the highest number with 11, followed by Gyeonggi with 9, and Gangwon with 3.
In response to concerns that the number of English kindergartens conducting level tests may have been underreported, the Ministry of Education explained, "The figures are based on the judgment of each local education office that conducted on-site inspections."
Going forward, the Ministry of Education plans to continue providing administrative guidance in cooperation with local education offices, urging academies that conduct level tests to change their selection methods.
Furthermore, despite previous administrative guidance, the government and local education offices will jointly inspect academies that continue to use level tests for student selection or persist in advertising themselves as English kindergartens. In addition, the Ministry plans to review necessary legislative measures to eliminate side effects such as the "age seven exam."
Choi Eunok, Vice Minister of Education, stated, "We will continue to provide guidance and supervision to address the negative effects revealed by this comprehensive inspection of English academies for young children, prevent the harms of illegal private education, and foster a healthy educational environment through amendments to relevant laws and regulations."
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