"‘Abolition of Foreign Language High Schools is Unconstitutional’ - 16 Nationwide Foreign Language High Schools Submit Opinion Letter to Government"

Eun-Hye Yoo, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, is announcing the "Plan to Resolve High School Hierarchy and Strengthen the Competence of General High Schools," which includes the conversion of autonomous private high schools, foreign language high schools, and international high schools into general high schools, at the briefing room of the Government Seoul Office on the 7th. Photo by Moohonam

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Sixteen private foreign language high schools will submit a statement to the government asserting that "the abolition of foreign language high schools is unconstitutional and violates education-related laws."

According to the education sector on the 5th, the nationwide foreign language high school alliance legal team will visit the Ministry of Education at the Government Complex Sejong on the morning of the 6th to deliver this statement. The alliance legal team is composed of legal representatives jointly formed by 16 private foreign language high schools nationwide.

In a press release distributed in advance, the legal team stated, "The abolition of foreign language high schools is an unconstitutional act that undermines the diversity and autonomy of education guaranteed by the Constitution, and it infringes constitutional rights by enforcing uniform education despite differences in learning abilities."

Additionally, the legal team argued, "Restrictions on fundamental rights must be established by law, but the government is forcibly proceeding through the abolition of enforcement ordinances, which is also unconstitutional, and violates the Framework Act on Education that stipulates the state must strive for internationalized education."

They further expressed concerns that "abolishing foreign language high schools will increase early study abroad, cause a concentration in the 'Gangnam 8 school districts' leading to a sharp rise in Gangnam housing prices, result in a surge in private education expenses centered on outstanding students, and overall, lead to a decline in academic achievement levels."

The government announced plans to convert foreign language high schools, autonomous private high schools (Jasago), and international high schools into general high schools by 2025 to strengthen the capabilities of general high schools and eliminate high school hierarchy. The Ministry of Education announced the draft amendments to the Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for this purpose on November 27 of last year, and the 40-day public consultation period ends on the 6th.

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