First-year high school classrooms are facing significant turmoil. Amid major changes in the college entrance system, including the full implementation of the high school credit system and the new grading system, the number of first-year dropouts has surpassed 10,000.
The Ministry of Education has denied a direct link between the new grading system and the increase in dropouts, but educators and academic experts point to the contradictions of the complex credit system and college entrance policies, along with the 'anxiety marketing' of private education, as contributing factors to the crisis in public education.
According to data released by the Ministry of Education on July 6, the number of first-year dropouts in general high schools has steadily increased: 6,112 in 2021, 7,880 in 2022, and 9,373 in 2023. In the 2025 academic year, following the introduction of the new grading system, the number of dropouts reached 10,016.
In response to concerns about top students opting for 'resetting their grades' (dropping out and re-enrolling), the Ministry noted that the dropout rate among first-grade students (6.72%) has actually decreased from two years ago (7.07%), and the number of students re-enrolling the following year remains similar to the previous year.
Additionally, addressing fears that the new grading system would weaken the differentiation among top students, the Ministry reported that the number of students maintaining straight A's across all subjects in the first and second semesters has decreased by 38% to 4,659, suggesting that the number of students who can maintain straight A's through to their third year is likely to be less than the medical school admission quota of 3,671, indicating sufficient grading differentiation.
Under the credit system, students must choose complex subjects aligned with their career paths from their first year. A professor of education noted in a conversation with Aju Economy that "forcing first-year students, who may not have a clear career path, to select subjects directly tied to college admissions creates extreme stress."
Moreover, while the grading system operates under the credit system and the new 5-point scale, the college entrance exam, a major component of admissions, still adheres to the old system, creating a significant contradiction. Among students facing this double burden, there is a growing perception that "it is better to drop out early, take the high school equivalency exam, and focus solely on the college entrance exam rather than being tied down by complicated school life and grade management."
Private education institutions are also exploiting these gaps in the system and the anxiety of students to encourage dropouts.
In fact, according to the reform intentions for the 2028 college admissions process, nine out of 16 major universities that are subject to regulations on entrance exam-based admissions have either established or strengthened the inclusion of school records in their admissions criteria. Consequently, a total of 11 major universities will now utilize school records as a component of their admissions process.
Colleges are transitioning to a more qualitative evaluation of students who have demonstrated diligence and responsibility within the school community, rather than simply selecting those with high quantitative entrance exam scores.
Min Byung-gon, head of admissions at Seoul National University, expressed in a commentary that "it is unfortunate that many students are considering dropping out due to concerns about their grades." He criticized the notion that "one must achieve straight A's to gain admission to their desired university" as a form of fear-based marketing.
He emphasized that schools are not just places for receiving grades but are environments where students learn to collaborate and take responsibility, growing as democratic citizens. He added that the type of talent universities seek are students who possess the potential to grow proactively within their given environment.
The Ministry of Education has denied a direct link between the new grading system and the increase in dropouts, but educators and academic experts point to the contradictions of the complex credit system and college entrance policies, along with the 'anxiety marketing' of private education, as contributing factors to the crisis in public education.
According to data released by the Ministry of Education on July 6, the number of first-year dropouts in general high schools has steadily increased: 6,112 in 2021, 7,880 in 2022, and 9,373 in 2023. In the 2025 academic year, following the introduction of the new grading system, the number of dropouts reached 10,016.
Education Ministry: "Dropout increase not solely due to new grading system... more dropouts from lower ranks"
However, the Ministry has drawn a line, stating that it is difficult to attribute the dropout crisis solely to the new grading system. The average rank of first-year dropouts in 2025 is 3.7 (on a 5-point scale), which translates to a 6.7 under the previous 9-point system, indicating that a larger proportion of dropouts are from lower-ranking students.In response to concerns about top students opting for 'resetting their grades' (dropping out and re-enrolling), the Ministry noted that the dropout rate among first-grade students (6.72%) has actually decreased from two years ago (7.07%), and the number of students re-enrolling the following year remains similar to the previous year.
Additionally, addressing fears that the new grading system would weaken the differentiation among top students, the Ministry reported that the number of students maintaining straight A's across all subjects in the first and second semesters has decreased by 38% to 4,659, suggesting that the number of students who can maintain straight A's through to their third year is likely to be less than the medical school admission quota of 3,671, indicating sufficient grading differentiation.
"Career pressure from credit system and mismatch with college entrance exam leads to dropouts"
Despite the Ministry's quantitative explanations, the sense of crisis felt by educators and experts is severe. Some in the education sector analyze that the pressure stemming from the full implementation of the high school credit system is a significant underlying factor in the surge of first-year dropouts.Under the credit system, students must choose complex subjects aligned with their career paths from their first year. A professor of education noted in a conversation with Aju Economy that "forcing first-year students, who may not have a clear career path, to select subjects directly tied to college admissions creates extreme stress."
Moreover, while the grading system operates under the credit system and the new 5-point scale, the college entrance exam, a major component of admissions, still adheres to the old system, creating a significant contradiction. Among students facing this double burden, there is a growing perception that "it is better to drop out early, take the high school equivalency exam, and focus solely on the college entrance exam rather than being tied down by complicated school life and grade management."
Private education institutions are also exploiting these gaps in the system and the anxiety of students to encourage dropouts.
Admissions experts: "Rushing to drop out for college entrance exam is a dangerous gamble"
However, education authorities and admissions experts warn that hastily dropping out of high school with the hope of relying solely on college entrance exam scores is a very risky choice in terms of college admissions strategy. The landscape of college admissions is gradually shifting away from a 100% reliance on entrance exam scores.In fact, according to the reform intentions for the 2028 college admissions process, nine out of 16 major universities that are subject to regulations on entrance exam-based admissions have either established or strengthened the inclusion of school records in their admissions criteria. Consequently, a total of 11 major universities will now utilize school records as a component of their admissions process.
Colleges are transitioning to a more qualitative evaluation of students who have demonstrated diligence and responsibility within the school community, rather than simply selecting those with high quantitative entrance exam scores.
Min Byung-gon, head of admissions at Seoul National University, expressed in a commentary that "it is unfortunate that many students are considering dropping out due to concerns about their grades." He criticized the notion that "one must achieve straight A's to gain admission to their desired university" as a form of fear-based marketing.
He emphasized that schools are not just places for receiving grades but are environments where students learn to collaborate and take responsibility, growing as democratic citizens. He added that the type of talent universities seek are students who possess the potential to grow proactively within their given environment.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.