Park Sunae on Criticism of 'Bypassing Education Office': "Decision on Promotion Direction After Public Discussion"

At the Video Meeting of Provincial Education Superintendents, "Intention to Start Discussions"
Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon Points Out, "It Only Brings Confusion to the Field"
Provincial Superintendents Express Concerns... Ulsan and Jeonnam Oppose the Initiative

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] After the Ministry of Education announced the policy to lower the school entry age to 5 years old, criticism arose that metropolitan and provincial offices of education were bypassed, prompting a belated start to discussions.

On the morning of the 3rd, at a video conference held at the Government Sejong Complex with nationwide metropolitan and provincial superintendents of education, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Park Soon-ae said regarding the plan to promote the school system reform, "This is merely a means to achieve the goal and was at the initial stage of social discussion. Going forward, we plan to closely consult with superintendents and decide on specific implementation directions through social discussions and public deliberation."

The meeting was originally arranged to discuss school quarantine and academic operation plans for the second semester, but after the bypass controversy arose, the Ministry of Education belatedly added discussions on school system reform.

Deputy Prime Minister Park explained, "Including such policy measures in the work report was intended to start discussions as one of the ways for the state to take responsibility and support so that children can receive quality public education early and all start on an equal footing."

She added, "One of the goals was for the state and metropolitan and provincial offices of education to take responsibility and use elementary schools to integrate education and care for children, promoting their safe growth and reducing the burden on parents."

Cho Hee-yeon, chairman of the National Council of Superintendents of Education and superintendent of education for Seoul, said, "Policies announced without discussion with metropolitan and provincial offices of education only bring confusion to the education field. The damage is directly borne by our students. I believe the Ministry of Education is well aware of this."

Superintendent Cho expressed regret the day before, stating, "I express considerable regret over the Ministry of Education’s ‘bypassing of education offices’ and the hasty school system reform plan. Following the reform plan for education grants, the Ministry treated education offices as puppets in announcing important national education policies. If the Ministry insists on pushing forward despite reasonable opposition, this plan should be withdrawn and social consultations restarted from the beginning."

Lim Tae-hee, superintendent of education for Gyeonggi Province, said regarding the school system reform plan, "I deeply empathize not only with the concerns of kindergarten officials but also with the worries of parents. While there is a need to start discussions at this point to address low birth rates, aging population, and educational disparities, prior matters should be reviewed first and sufficient communication must take place."

No Ok-hee, superintendent of education for Ulsan, stated, "Since public opinion on the school system reform has been confirmed, policies that the education community and parents do not want should be immediately abolished." Kim Dae-jung, superintendent of education for Jeonnam Province, also expressed the view that "it is premature as frontline education sites are not prepared."

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