[Impact of Early Admission at Age 7] "Early Admission Raises Concerns About Learning Ability and Social Skills"... Early Education Overheats in Daechi-dong Academy District

Elementary School Admission Age Lowered from 6 to 5 Years Old
Daechi-dong Entrance Exam Academies and Gifted Centers "Will Confirm Ministry of Education Schedule Later, Adjustment Inevitable"

With only three days left until the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test, concerns among test-takers are growing as the spread of COVID-19 shows no signs of slowing down. Tension is palpable in the academy district of Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on this day. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] The government’s education system reform plan, which centers on 'starting elementary school at age 5,' is causing a stir in the Daechi-dong academy district.

According to a comprehensive report by Asia Economy on the 1st, academies near Daechi-dong in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, have recently begun preparing countermeasures regarding the lowering of the elementary school entrance age.

An official from an entrance exam academy located in Daechi-dong stated, "If the Ministry of Education moves the overall age forward, we plan to open additional classes for kindergarteners and first graders," adding, "Currently, classes are available starting from second grade." He also mentioned, "We plan to conduct a demand survey through parents later."

Elite small-group classes and gifted centers are also busy. A gifted center located in Daechi-dong said, "Currently, only elementary students who have completed advanced learning up to the fourth grade can attend classes," but added, "If the Ministry of Education conducts pilot education or releases specific plans in the future, we intend to adjust some classes."

Regarding the government’s plan to lower the elementary school entrance age to 5 years old, negative opinions among parents are growing stronger. The Ministry of Education plans to prepare a draft for the 2023 education system reform, finalize it in 2024, and fully implement it from 2025.

Kim Kyung-hee (38, pseudonym), a resident of Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, said, "I entered school early because my birthday was early, and the one-year difference was huge," adding, "Unless a child is gifted, they have difficulty adapting in all aspects such as learning ability, social skills, and school rules."

Lee Min-hee (34, pseudonym), who works at a major company in Jongno, said, "Public education does not operate full-day classes like daycare centers, so this policy is too harsh for working parents," and added, "Other policies such as after-school care should follow to reduce side effects."

Seo Joo-hee (40, pseudonym), living in Magok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, said, "My 8-year-old daughter currently attends three academies for math, English, and essay writing," and added, "If the entrance age is lowered, mothers will be desperate to teach their children more to get them admitted, and early education overheating is inevitable."

Shim Yeon-hee (37, pseudonym), raising two children in Sejong, also said, "Only early education will speed up and private education will increase," adding, "Ultimately, if raising children becomes harder, the birth rate will drop further, which will negatively affect the entire country."

Meanwhile, teachers express concerns that students may have difficulty adapting in first grade and that confusion in the education field will increase. Shim Hyun-hee (65), who retired after 41 years as an elementary school teacher, said, "During the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations, early admission was allowed at the discretion of school principals, but early admitted children did not adapt well, so the policy was not widely implemented," adding, "Allowing children to enter school without adjusting the curriculum and class hours may cause confusion in the education field."

Jang Kyu-young (66), who served as an elementary school teacher for 41 years, said, "It should be gradually encouraged and only implemented when it is judged to be without problems," adding, "Education is a long-term plan that does not change or evolve in a few years, so it must be approached carefully."

Meanwhile, 36 organizations including the World Without Private Education Concerns, the Teachers’ Labor Union Federation, the National and Public Kindergarten Teachers’ Union, and the Private Kindergarten Association will hold a press conference in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office this afternoon opposing the education system reform plan.

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