[In-Depth] Education Reform Is Korea's Future

Kim Ikseong, President of the Asia-Europe Future Studies Association and Professor at Dongduk Women's University

The world is undergoing a profound transformation. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is demanding convergent technologies and a spirit of creativity and collaboration from our society. In order to adapt to these new changes, education must also transform. Currently, the Korean education system is fostering an extremely competitive society that values academic background and ability above all else, contributing to the creation of a monopolistic power structure dominated by elite academic cliques, rather than a fair and just meritocratic society.

France's Le Monde described the Korean education system as the most competitive and painful in the world. During my studies in Germany, I was shocked to learn, while interpreting a conversation between a Korean expatriate parent and a German teacher, that although most Korean students excel at solving math problems, they do not understand how to apply what they have learned.

In the United States and Europe, from kindergarten onwards, children sit around round tables, taking turns to express their opinions and engage in discussion-based learning. This style of learning continues through university. In university seminars, students voluntarily form study groups and prepare for presentations and exams. Within these groups, students assign roles and engage in discussions, experiencing the synergy of collaborative education. In contrast, Korean students studying abroad often spend their time trying to obtain exam questions from alumni of their home universities. Students from other universities are not even allowed to see these materials.

Korean education must be reformed to pursue its true philosophy of pragmatism and to nurture creative and collaborative global talent. In this regard, I recommend replacing one-time exams with a combination of discussions, presentations, and tests. It is also worth considering a system that selects a certain proportion of students from marginalized groups, such as those living in remote areas, small business owners, individuals with low educational backgrounds, people with disabilities, and low-income families. The curriculum and teaching methods in kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school should also be revised to focus on practical application.

Foreign language education should be centered on conversation, while math and physics should be taught through hands-on, field-based learning. Universities should shift to an open major system, allowing students to study fields that interest them and meet their needs, with a convergent and integrated curriculum. In addition, a wide range of subjects, including the humanities, should be required as part of the general education curriculum. The number of students allowed to enroll in particularly popular courses should be reduced as needed. Lectures should be open to everyone, and a seminar-style education system should be introduced, in which students are evaluated through discussions and group study. Professors participating in seminars should also be assigned flexibly depending on the topic.

Given the growing importance of online education since the COVID-19 pandemic, it is also advisable to expand the benefits of innovative education by enabling students to choose their own learning times and locations through a combination of online and offline education, as well as advanced audiovisual education such as the metaverse. Education programs that meet social needs, such as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), which has recently been in the spotlight, should also be included in the curriculum to supply relevant professionals.

University evaluation systems must also be innovated to align with these changes. Finally, education reform must be supported and encouraged by society, industry, public organizations, as well as the media and broadcasting. The practice of selecting candidates solely based on academic background and major should be abandoned. Instead, it is necessary to assess which courses applicants have taken and what abilities they can contribute. I look forward to the emergence of an "education president" who can revitalize the economy through educational reform.

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