"Parents Oppose Overheated Private Education and Bullying Concerns... Hagwon Areas Already Preparing Measures"

Opposition Grows Against Advancing Elementary School Admission to Age 7
Education, Teacher, and Parent Groups Hold Press Conference in Yongsan
Concerns Over Early Childhood Cognitive and Emotional Development and School Adaptation
Academies Prepare by Adding Additional First Grade Classes

Students are attending school at an elementary school in Seoul on the 13th, two days before Teacher's Day, which is the first to be celebrated in earnest since the full resumption of face-to-face classes at schools. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporters Jinju Han and Sehee Jang] The Ministry of Education's plan to advance the school starting age by one year from 2025 has sparked widespread opposition from parents and teachers. The lack of prior consultation and the perception that the policy is driven by economic logic without considering children's school adaptation issues have further fueled parents' anger.

36 Organizations Hold Press Conference Opposing the Reform Plan

On the afternoon of the 1st, 36 organizations including the Society for Worry-Free Private Education, the Federation of Teachers' Unions, the National and Public Kindergarten Teachers' Union, and the Private Kindergarten Association held a press conference in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office to oppose the school system reform plan.

The Society for Worry-Free Private Education stated, "Early admission at age 5 is inappropriate for children's cognitive and emotional development. Parents perceive the start of compulsory education as the beginning of serious learning, which could trigger an excessive private education craze starting from the early childhood stage to prepare for early admission." They added, "Currently, many parents have to quit their jobs due to their children's elementary school admission, so advancing elementary school admission to age 5 will only increase the burden on parents."

The Seoul Teachers' Union also issued a statement saying, "We were shocked that the Minister of Education and the President have no basic understanding of the curriculum with the push for elementary school admission at age 5." They emphasized, "The Nuri Curriculum and elementary education curriculum target different groups and have different curriculum composition directions. If the government is sincere about early childhood education, it should consider converting current early childhood education into compulsory education."

Parents and Teachers Oppose, Chaos on the Ground

A parent with children born in 2018 and 2019 said, "If children born in consecutive years enter the same grade, what should they be called at school when the older sibling is called 'noona' at home?" and added, "It's hard to accept that siblings have to compete in the college entrance exam." Another parent with a child born in 2019 explained, "Age hierarchy is severe even at playgrounds. Putting 7- and 8-year-olds together in one classroom for 12 years is too harsh for 7-year-olds." They continued, "Children who have attended kindergarten for 2 years and those who have attended for 3 years show significant developmental differences, and children with such experiences tend to feel intimidated. School violence could also become more serious in classrooms that include younger children."

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 children admitted early did not adapt well, so the policy was not effectively implemented." She added, "Allowing children to enter school without adjustments to the curriculum and class hours could 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 implemented only when it is judged to be without problems." He emphasized, "Education is a long-term plan that does not change or evolve in a few years, so it must be approached cautiously."

Daechi-dong Academy District Also Preparing Measures

Academies near Daechi-dong in Gangnam-gu have recently started preparing measures related to lowering the elementary school starting age. A representative of an entrance exam academy in Daechi-dong said on the 1st, "If the Ministry of Education advances the overall age, we plan to open additional classes for kindergarteners and first graders. Currently, classes are available from second graders onward. We plan to conduct a demand survey through parents later."

Small elite 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 will consider adjusting some classes."

Professor Song Ki-chang of the Department of Education at Sookmyung Women's University pointed out, "Costs, employment, and college entrance issues will cause several years of confusion, so the Ministry of Education is likely to proceed by giving parents the choice." He explained, "If teachers or facilities are increased to advance the admission age, there could be surplus issues after four years, so they intend to proceed by giving parents the option. In this case, children with age differences of up to 18 months to 2 years could attend classes together in years when admission deferral is not allowed."

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