Education Ministry Vice Minister "Switch to Digital Textbooks"... Yoon "Is It Okay Without Schoolbags?"

Emergency Economic and Livelihood Meeting Emphasizes 'Digital Transformation' in Education
Deputy Minister of Education: "Elementary and Middle School Information Education to More Than Double"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Vice Minister of Education Jang Sang-yoon announced plans to more than double the hours of information education and transition to digital textbooks to promote digital transformation in the education sector.

At the 11th Emergency Economic and Livelihood Meeting held on the 27th at the Yongsan Presidential Office building, Vice Minister Jang stated, "We are working on revising the curriculum to be applied in schools, and the main direction of the revision is 'digital transformation.'" He explained, "We will transition from traditional textbooks to digital textbooks, double the information education hours in elementary and middle schools, and establish new courses in high schools to ensure sufficient teaching."

Vice Minister Jang said, "To nurture children as 'digital natives,' digital transformation must occur in school settings," adding, "The goal is for students to acquire the ability to freely utilize digital technologies during class time."

He further explained, "Not only in information education but also in subjects like mathematics, science, and music, integrating AI (artificial intelligence) and virtual reality into teaching and learning methods will increase exposure to digital technologies and enable faster acquisition."

President Yoon, after hearing Vice Minister Jang's announcement on digital transformation and the expansion of information education, asked, "If digital textbooks are introduced, does that mean students won't have to carry backpacks?" Vice Minister Jang replied, "They will learn using tablet PCs."

President Yoon added, "I heard that subjects like mathematics, physics, and chemistry will change to digital mathematics and digital physics, and instead of solving problems with pencil and paper, experiments will be replaced through digital processes. I ask that a revolutionary digital transformation take place in the curriculum."

On the same day, President Yoon said, "When I meet with superintendents, they say that coding education and algorithm education to raise digital natives should be emphasized in elementary and middle schools," adding, "To provide digital literacy education, class time allocation must be changed and more teachers must be deployed, but teacher organizations have expressed difficulties and are not very favorable."

President Yoon continued, "The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Education should comprehensively devise thorough education plans for growing children," explaining, "Canada is overwhelmingly leading in the AI field because they provide extensive algorithm education from elementary school. AI does not become dominant overnight; a systematic approach to digital literacy and algorithm education is necessary to cultivate a large pool of talent."

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