Ministry of Education: "Full High School Exemption Plan for 2025 Remains Unchanged... No Speed Adjustment"

Deputy Prime Minister Lee Ju-ho: "Implementation as Scheduled According to the 2022 Revised Curriculum"
Details on Grade 10 Common Subject Evaluation Methods to Be Announced in February Next Year

On the 29th, Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, explained key issues such as the high school credit system at a press briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex. Photo by Ministry of Education

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The high school credit system, which will be applied to current first-year middle school students, is being promoted with the goal of full implementation in 2025 as planned. However, detailed plans such as the grading method for common subjects in the first year of high school will be announced in February next year.

On the 29th, Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, explained at a press briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong regarding the timing of the high school credit system implementation, "In principle, it is scheduled to be implemented as planned according to the 2022 revised curriculum," but added, "However, the prerequisite is that the field preparation must be sufficient, and some superintendents are showing reluctance."

The new revised curriculum stipulates that for common subjects mainly taken by first-year high school students, both the 9-level relative evaluation and achievement evaluation will be implemented, while elective subjects mainly taken by second and third-year students will be evaluated by achievement evaluation.

The recently finalized new high school curriculum is structured on the premise of operating the high school credit system, changing the completion criteria from 'units' to 'credits' in the organization and operation standards, and specifies March 1, 2025, as the full implementation date. However, there were concerns that if the current college entrance system is maintained, issues such as grade inflation and concentration on subjects tested in the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) would arise, preventing the system from showing proper effects.

On the 29th, Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, explained key issues such as the high school credit system at a press briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex. Photo by Ministry of Education

The Deputy Prime Minister stated, "The priority is not the introduction of the system, but that students receive good education," and added, "We expect to discuss (detailed implementation plans) around February next year."

The policy on high school system reform, including the retention of autonomous private high schools and foreign language high schools, is also expected to be decided around the same time. The Deputy Prime Minister explained, "If diversification continues and good schools are created, the issue of vertical ranking would be greatly alleviated," and added, "We are considering a system that can create many good schools, not just autonomous private high schools."

He continued, "The capacity of the field to accommodate changes in college entrance exams is still weak, and it is not appropriate to mention the sharply divided pros and cons of entrance exam issues," emphasizing, "If trust in classes and evaluations is restored, the CSAT could naturally lose its significance. Changes in classes and strengthening teachers' capabilities can lead to positive long-term changes in college entrance exams."

Additionally, the Deputy Prime Minister said, "If diversification continues and good schools are created, the problem of vertical ranking would be greatly alleviated," and added, "We are considering a system that can create many good schools, not just autonomous private high schools."

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