Full Implementation of High School Credit System in Vocational High Schools Next Year...Graduation Requires Completion of 192 Credits

Full Implementation of Vocational High Schools from Next Year, General High Schools Entirely by 2025
If Proficiency Level Not Met in Specialized Subject II Practical Courses, Supplementary Learning Required
Expansion of Minor Subjects in Other Departments and Focused Career Planning Period at Each Semester End

Implementation Schedule of the High School Credit System for Vocational High Schools

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Starting next year, the high school credit system will be fully implemented in vocational high schools.

On the 15th, the Ministry of Education announced plans to promote the credit system in vocational high schools. Following the introduction in Meister high schools and specialized high schools in 2018, and all Meister high schools in 2020, the credit system will be implemented in all specialized high schools starting next year.

The high school credit system allows students to complete various subjects according to their career paths and graduate once they accumulate the required credits. It was introduced in Meister high schools last year, partially introduced in general high schools next year, and will be applied to all high schools by 2025.

The Ministry of Education will partially revise the curriculum to change the standard for class hours from 'units' to 'credits' to introduce the credit system in vocational high schools. One credit is defined as 16 sessions of 50 minutes each, and the total required credits for high school graduation will be adjusted from 204 units to 192 credits. Graduation will be recognized upon accumulating 192 credits over three years under the credit system. The current promotion requirements by grade will be maintained. However, schools may set additional promotion requirements such as minimum credits per semester through school regulations.

Along with the implementation of the credit system, the existing Specialized Subject II in specialized high schools will be reorganized into specialized subjects. The common specialized subject (Successful Vocational Life) has been subdivided to develop subjects that provide basic competencies required for high school graduates. These include labor, media, intellectual property, finance, and information technology.

Students who do not meet the minimum academic achievement level in practical subjects of Specialized Subject II will receive supplementary learning support. In Meister high schools, participation in supplementary learning will be recorded in the subject's detailed abilities and special notes. Specialized Subject II will continue to apply the achievement evaluation system (absolute evaluation) as before, and the grading method will be unified according to the schedule for promoting the high school credit system.

Seasonal classes will be operated during vacations to provide learning experiences such as basic academic skills improvement or technical education. The maximum credits that can be earned per school will be determined by school regulations. If it is difficult to offer certain subjects within the school, education outside the school such as community or university programs will be recognized for credits. The second semester of the third year will be operated as a 'transition semester' to prepare students for growth as members of society. Depending on career aspirations, education courses such as job preparation or field training will be intensively operated.

To enable students to actively design their career paths, a 'Career Design Intensive Period' will be held for one week at the end of each semester. Career counseling for students and parents, curriculum explanation sessions for subject selection, and special lectures by industry professionals will be conducted.

To encourage taking various subjects such as minors from other departments and provide opportunities for career changes, the criteria for recognizing minor credits will be decided by the school curriculum committee. To support schools introducing the credit system for the first time, eight curriculum operation models can be applied according to types of workforce training and career/employment paths.

To enable schools to teach various subjects, minor training for current teachers will be expanded. The system will be improved to allow metropolitan and provincial superintendents of education to directly create appointment exam questions to recruit teachers for minority subjects. It was found that in the past five years, among 31 specialized subjects, six subjects failed to recruit teachers. Currently, the Curriculum Evaluation Institute operates the appointment exam question creation on behalf of the joint management committee for secondary teacher appointments when demand arises from four or more education offices.

A system to utilize educational resources outside of school will be established to support the application and approval process for educational institutions, and joint practice centers of metropolitan and provincial education offices will be converted into institutions supporting promising field training. Special teacher training courses will also be operated to enable experts to obtain teaching qualifications. A Ministry of Education official explained, "Industry-academia concurrent instructors are being utilized in vocational high schools in new industry fields, but there are difficulties in conducting classes and entering evaluations. Starting this year, an 18-credit training course will be operated so that professionals can work as industry-academia concurrent instructors and later obtain teaching qualifications."

Deputy Minister of Education Jeong Jong-cheol emphasized, "The Ministry of Education will actively support the realization of students' precious dreams through the operation of the vocational high school credit system that reflects the demands of industrial sites and education consumers, and will strive to expand participation and support from related organizations such as metropolitan and provincial education offices."

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