Superintendent Jung Geunsik: "We Need to Move Toward Absolute Grading for the CSAT"

Marking One Year in Office, Superintendent Jung
"Relative Grading Turns Friends into Competitors...The System Needs Reform"

Jung Geunsik, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, commented on the transition to an absolute grading system for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), stating, "Relative grading continuously causes issues, such as turning close friends into competitors," and added, "To resolve this, we need to move toward absolute grading."

At the Communication Night event with the press corps held on the 23rd, Superintendent Jung said, "The CSAT is an invisible competition system, while school grades are a visible competition system." He explained that to change both the CSAT and school grades to absolute grading, the advantages and disadvantages between special-purpose high schools, autonomous private high schools, and general high schools must be mitigated. Under the relative grading system, the internal competition structure is the same for all types of schools, but with absolute grading, the popularity of special-purpose and autonomous private high schools could increase even further.

Superintendent Jung stated, "The challenge is how to minimize the side effects when transitioning from relative to absolute grading," and added, "Since it is a complex puzzle to solve, it cannot be done hastily, but I believe it is best to take a long-term view and set this as a prerequisite. The Office of Education is also considering this issue."

Jung Geunsik, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, is speaking at the Communication Night event between superintendents and press corps held on the 23rd. Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education

When asked whether the abolition of special-purpose and autonomous private high schools is being considered, he replied, "Rather than abolishing them, I believe their numbers should be reduced." He explained, "The number of students is decreasing, and there is a growing perception that these schools are becoming obstacles to the transition to absolute grading." He emphasized, "We need to discuss how to develop countermeasures," and added, "Relying solely on 'natural reduction' for the decrease in special-purpose high schools as part of the transition to absolute grading is burdensome." The number of autonomous private high schools in Seoul has already decreased from a total of 27 to 15 due to factors such as a decline in the student population.

On this day, Superintendent Jung cited the establishment of the Learning Diagnosis and Growth Center, support for students' basic academic skills, the formulation of a comprehensive plan for students' mental health, and the establishment and expansion of special education schools such as Dongjin School as major achievements over the past year. On the other hand, he expressed regret about the reduction in teaching staff at schools due to a smaller budget compared to last year. He also conveyed a sense of helplessness regarding the increase in student suicides, noting that there is nothing he can immediately resolve as superintendent. He explained that the issue of student suicides due to academic pressure must be addressed as a national issue, such as through changes in college admissions policies.

Superintendent Jung stated, "Starting next year, the Ministry of Education, the National Education Commission, and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, along with 17 other education offices, will gather to discuss the normalization of education." He emphasized, "Until now, there has not been a forum for the Minister of Education, the Chairperson of the National Education Commission, and superintendents to gather and discuss, but all three parties share a sense of solidarity and a desire to correct Korea's education governance," adding, "Such a meeting will definitely take place next year."