The Flame for Reconsidering the 'September Semester System' Ignited... Kyochong Proposes 'Formation of a Consultative Body'

Government, National Assembly, and Teacher Organizations Participate
Curriculum, Academic Affairs, Admissions, and Recruitment

Major Issues Changing the Social Clock
Careful Mid- to Long-Term Discussion Considering Practical Benefits

The above photo is not related to the article. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] As the start of the school year was postponed due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), discussions about the 'September academic calendar,' which begins the first semester in the fall, have resurfaced. Opinions are divided between those who want to actively pursue the introduction of the September academic calendar and those who argue for a cautious approach, as all related procedures including the existing college entrance system and employment processes could be changed.

On the 28th, the Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations held a press conference in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, proposing to the 21st National Assembly the formation of a consultative body involving the National Assembly, government, and teachers' organizations regarding the September academic calendar. Since there are many voices from the political sphere about the September academic calendar, the purpose is to create a public forum to minimize national confusion and organize the pros and cons debate. Ha Yoon-soo, president of the Federation, said, "The September academic calendar is a huge issue that changes the social clock, including curriculum, academic schedules, and entrance and recruitment timelines," adding, "We need to weigh the practical benefits, discuss it in the mid-to-long term, and first build social consensus on whether to adopt it."

The September academic calendar discussion was previously emphasized by Lee Jae-jung, Superintendent of Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, who announced plans to promote public discussion on the necessity of the September academic calendar. Several politicians, including Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, have expressed opinions to consider its introduction. Recently, Kim Ki-sik, Policy Committee Member of The Future Research Institute, appeared on a radio program and said, "Past governments such as those of Kim Young-sam and Roh Moo-hyun have also practically reviewed this," adding, "It is worth considering changing to a September new semester system in line with international standards as a countermeasure." There have also been petitions on the Blue House's public petition platform requesting a review of the September academic calendar.

Hayunsoo, the 37th President of the Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations

The reason for reviewing the September academic calendar discussion from before is that among OECD countries, only South Korea, Japan, and Australia start their semesters in spring. Australia starts school in February but, being located in the Southern Hemisphere, it effectively has a fall semester. In reality, only South Korea and Japan start school in spring. If the September academic calendar is introduced, the semester will align with other countries, making study abroad preparations easier. The academic gap after the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) will also be reduced. Issues like unnecessary spring breaks will be resolved, and summer vacation will be extended to encourage experiential activities. Additionally, implementing the September academic calendar would allow the school starting age to be advanced by six months, better matching student developmental stages.

However, there are criticisms that the September academic calendar does not fit the domestic education situation. Only 0.3% (about 20,000 students) of domestic students are preparing for early study abroad. The socioeconomic costs incurred are also considerable. The Korea Educational Development Institute (KEDI) estimated in its report on the 'Implementation Plan for the September New Academic Year System' that if the March admission is advanced by six months, the number of first-year students would double, costing about 10 trillion won over 12 years. Since the number of new students temporarily increases, more teachers must be hired and new classrooms prepared. Even with distributed enrollment to minimize this, KEDI estimates the cost to be at least around 9 trillion won.

The Ministry of Education considers the introduction of the September academic calendar difficult under the current circumstances, as the academic schedule has been proceeding sequentially since the online school opening in April. A Ministry of Education official said, "Previous reviews of the September academic calendar involved considering early admission, but that and the current COVID-19 situation's discussion of the September academic calendar do not align," adding, "School attendance has already started, and the first semester academic schedule is underway through remote classes." Song Kyung-won, Policy Researcher at the Justice Party Policy Committee, said, "Changing the academic calendar means changing society as a whole, so while all options can be open for discussion, the situation is still highly uncertain."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.