Seoul Performing Arts High School Loses Special-Purpose High School Status... "Transition to General High School for Arts"

Seoul Performing Arts High School exterior (Source=Asia Economy DB)

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[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education evaluated the operational performance of four special-purpose high schools (Special Purpose High Schools, SPHS) specializing in the arts and decided to convert one of them into a general high school.

On the 2nd, the Office announced that it reviewed the operational performance of four arts-specialized SPHS in Seoul?Deokwon Arts High School, Seoul Performing Arts High School, Seoul Arts High School, and Seonhwa Arts High School?and reached this conclusion. The evaluation of SPHS operational performance is conducted every five years according to the Enforcement Decree of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. In this review, three schools except Seoul Performing Arts High School exceeded the benchmark score of 70 and will maintain their SPHS status.

The Office explained, "The main reason for the cancellation of designation for Seoul Performing Arts High School was repeated operational issues, such as the principal mobilizing students to perform at external events and admitting acquaintances' children, which led to audit sanctions." It was also found that Seoul Performing Arts High School improperly used local government education expense subsidies. Although the school's SPHS designation will be canceled, it will retain its status as a general high school specializing in the arts. However, the recruitment of new students will change from a nationwide basis to a Seoul regional basis. Current students will continue to receive the originally planned curriculum until graduation, even if the designation is canceled.

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