Yoo Eun-hye: "Interactive Classes in 2nd Semester Expanded to 55.7%... Autonomous Private High Schools to Convert to General High Schools as Planned"

A Significant Jump to 14.8% in the First Semester
Private and Specialized High Schools Intensify College Admission Competition

Innovative Schools Mark 10 Years Since Introduction
Need for Comprehensive Evaluation and Performance Analysis

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye is attending the Emergency Economic Central Countermeasures Headquarters meeting and the Korean New Deal related ministers' meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye stated on the 28th, "Although there were difficulties and limitations with remote classes due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), we have overcome them well."

At an online press briefing held that day, Deputy Prime Minister Yoo said, "The proportion of real-time interactive remote classes increased to 55.7% in the second semester."

She added, "This is higher than the 14.8% reported in the survey conducted last July," and "In the first semester, the lack of real-time interactive classes was cited as a point of dissatisfaction, but satisfaction has also increased."

She also emphasized the policy to maintain the conversion of autonomous private high schools to general high schools. Deputy Prime Minister Yoo said, "Autonomous private high schools will be converted to general high schools by 2025, and the high school credit system will be fully introduced up to general high schools," adding, "The diversity of curricula operated in autonomous private and specialized high schools will be guaranteed."

She pointed out that in the past, diversifying school types was considered a way to guarantee diversity in educational opportunities, but contrary to the intention, it only deepened competition and entrance exam-focused education. Deputy Prime Minister Yoo added, "The high school education system has rather failed to provide more diverse opportunities to all children."

Regarding the administrative lawsuit involving Busan Haeundae High School, she said, "There is a dispute over the process when the education office cancels the designation," and "It is considered largely unrelated to the blanket conversion of autonomous private high schools according to the enforcement decree."

Regarding innovation schools, she stated that it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive evaluation as it marks the 10th year since their introduction. Deputy Prime Minister Yoo explained, "There seems to be an excessive misunderstanding that innovation schools have lower basic academic skills or deficiencies," and "Innovation schools, which started in schools facing difficult educational environments, have shown a very rapid recovery in basic academic skills."

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo added, "It is essential to analyze the achievements of innovation schools concretely and actively share excellent cases to promote their spread," and "Misunderstandings or distorted parts must be corrected based on facts."

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