'Ordinance on Disclosure of Seoul Basic Academic Achievement Diagnosis Results' Passed Again After Reconsideration

Passed Despite Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education's Objection... Results Can Be Disclosed

A bill allowing the results of basic academic proficiency diagnostic tests conducted in Seoul's elementary, middle, and high schools to be disclosed externally was reapproved by the Seoul Metropolitan Council despite opposition from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.

On the 3rd, the Seoul Metropolitan Council passed the "Reconsideration of the Ordinance on Supporting the Guarantee of Basic Academic Proficiency by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education" at the plenary session of the 318th extraordinary meeting.

The ordinance was approved with 74 votes in favor, 31 against, and 2 abstentions out of 107 members present.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the ordinance, school principals must report the status of basic academic proficiency diagnostic tests annually to the school operation committee and may disclose the results on the school's website.

The Superintendent of Education is required to regularly inspect the implementation status of the diagnostic tests and submit it to the relevant standing committee of the Metropolitan Council. The Superintendent may also reward schools that disclose the results of the basic academic proficiency diagnostic tests.

The ordinance was passed last March despite concerns from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.

In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and progressive civic groups expressed concerns that the ordinance could promote school ranking. Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Council's Academic Improvement Special Committee, dominated by the People Power Party, and conservative civic groups argued that the ordinance is necessary to support students falling below basic academic proficiency due to increased learning loss caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education requested reconsideration from the Seoul Metropolitan Council on the 3rd of last month, stating that the ordinance "may violate the law." To reapprove the same agenda, a quorum of more than half of all members and at least two-thirds approval are required, and these conditions were met on the day, leading to its passage.

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