President Yoon Suk Yeol Orders Suneung Aptitude Test To Only Cover Materials Taught In Class
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- 15 Jun 2023
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President Yoon Suk Yeol has issued a directive to Suneung, the nation's scholastic aptitude test, instructing it to focus solely on materials covered in classroom teachings. This decision comes as a response to alleviate the financial burden on parents due to excessive private education expenses. President Yoon Suk Yeol conveyed these instructions to the Education Ministry, urging them to devise measures accordingly.
Education Minister Lee Ju-ho, speaking to the media at the presidential office, assured that the ministry would promptly develop the necessary measures as per the president's request. The motivation behind this directive stems from the increasing trend of students resorting to after-school cram schools, known as hagwon, in pursuit of high scores on the test and admission to prestigious universities.
Last year, South Korea spent a staggering 26 trillion won ($20.3 billion) on private education, marking a record high. Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized the need for reform within universities. He expressed his belief that educational institutions should serve as platforms for students to discover their purpose and passion. Minister Lee quoted the president, stating that universities, as providers of education, must adapt their curriculum to align with students' interests and aspirations.
In Korea, obtaining a degree from a prestigious university remains a significant pathway to secure lucrative employment, particularly in major corporations. However, many universities employ a traditional teaching approach in which educators primarily transmit information to students, limiting opportunities for open-ended discussions and hindering problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
President Yoon highlighted the necessity for the education system to innovate and adapt in response to economic and industrial demands. Senior presidential secretary for press affairs, Kim Eun-hye, conveyed that Yoon stressed the importance of universities offering autonomous learning models and programs to students. The president cited the successful implementation of such changes in leading universities of advanced countries.
