Even Teachers Turned Away... The Complete Crisis of the 'Age 7 School Entry' Procedure, Purpose, and Alternatives

95% of Teachers Oppose Admission of 5-Year-Olds, 89% Strongly Oppose
Policy Ignores Emotional Development and Curriculum Considerations
Ministry of Education's Response Inadequate, Park Soon-ae Proposes "One-Month Extension"
Among 38 OECD Countries, 26 Enroll at Age 6
"UK's Lowered Age Led to Negative Impact Due to Widened Educational Gaps"

On the 1st, in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office, a nationwide coalition formed by parents, citizens, and organizations from the early childhood education and childcare sectors held a press conference opposing the enrollment of 5-year-olds in elementary school. (Photo by Sagyoyuk Geokjeong Eopsneun Sesang)

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The majority of teachers are also turning their backs on the Ministry of Education’s plan for elementary school enrollment at age 5.

On the 2nd, the Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations conducted a survey on the controversy over the school system reform targeting 100,662 teachers nationwide from kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools. The results showed that 94.7% opposed the plan. Among them, 89.1% expressed “strong opposition.” When asked if they intended to enroll their 5-year-old children, 91.1% of teachers answered “no.”

The reasons for opposition included “not considering children’s emotional and developmental stages or the curriculum” (82.2%) and “overlapping school-age periods without considering improvements in conditions such as increasing teachers and classrooms” (5.3%). Teachers expressed concerns such as “the policy seems to be rushed, focusing only on workforce development” and “it is unreasonable to apply early enrollment uniformly when early admission is already available.” 85.2% of teachers believed that the current enrollment age of 6 is appropriate, 9.0% suggested extending it to 7, while only 4.6% supported enrollment at age 5.

The Ministry of Education’s inadequate response is also fueling confusion. The day before, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Park Soon-ae announced during a work report that besides the plan to accept 25% of students each year over four years starting in 2025, they are also considering “a plan to increase enrollment by one month each month over 12 months.” Initially, it was stated that accepting 25% each year would prevent issues like overcrowded classes, but due to negative public opinion, an alternative was introduced. Minister Park explained, “If students entering first grade are 5 years old, the curriculum will be changed from the existing one, and school spaces may also differ,” adding, “Regarding the concerns of mothers about the need for care, we also have a proposal to provide care until 8 p.m. for first and second graders.”

Parents point out, “After-school care rooms are only provided for dual-income and low-income families. It is not appropriate to keep children at school until 8 p.m.” The 2019 revised Nuri Curriculum, a national-level curriculum for children aged 3 to 5, also defines the most suitable education during early childhood as ‘learning through play.’

On the 1st, in front of the Ministry of Education Sejong Government Complex, the Preparatory National and Public Kindergarten Teachers' Solidarity, preparing for the kindergarten appointment exam, held a truck protest condemning the government's policy to promote elementary school admission at age five.

The Ministry of Education’s school system reform plan has also been criticized for being announced without social discussion and prioritizing the goal of industrial workforce development. The National Coalition to Prevent Elementary Enrollment at Age 5 stated, “The minister’s report became the conclusion, and the president’s directive for ‘prompt implementation’ finalized it, pushing the policy forward while excluding educational stakeholders, which undermines the constitution’s principles of ‘educational autonomy, professionalism, and political neutrality.’ For the sake of the industrial workforce supply system 20 years from now, making 5-year-old children sit at desks to study cannot be considered an educational decision. Educational considerations about what education is appropriate for children of that age must come first.”

Enrollment at age 6 is common overseas as well. According to the OECD Education Indicators, as of 2019, among 38 OECD countries, 26 enroll children at age 6, 8 countries enroll at age 7, and only 4 countries (the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand) have policies for enrollment at age 5.

The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations and the Korean National and Public Kindergarten Teachers’ Union pointed out, “Children aged 3 to 5 follow a play-centered Nuri Curriculum according to their developmental stages, and classroom size and shape, restrooms, and meal facilities are designed considering the physical and mental conditions of children of that age. Approaching this issue simply by saying ‘kids nowadays are bigger and smarter’ without in-depth surveys or research is irresponsible administration.”

The Korean Society for Early Childhood Education explained, “Although the enrollment age varies by country, most developed countries have an enrollment age of 6, parents are given the choice regarding enrollment age, and foreign countries enroll in September, which has been overlooked. In the UK, where the enrollment age was lowered, educational disparities have actually deepened, and based on research showing significant negative impacts on young children, there is a growing call to raise the enrollment age.”

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