The National Education Commission, a presidential advisory body, is facing backlash after an internal document suggesting a shift to an absolute grading system for high school students starting in the 2030 academic year was leaked. This proposal comes shortly after the confirmation of a relative grading system with five levels for college admissions in 2028, leading to confusion among students and parents.
On September 7, the Commission issued a statement clarifying that the inclusion of the absolute grading transition in the national education development plan has not been decided. They noted that the leaked document was still in the drafting phase and emphasized that it would be thoroughly reviewed from the beginning.
Proposed Absolute Grading System Sparks Concern
The controversy began when parts of the draft for the 10-year national education development plan (2026-2035) were made public. Reports indicated that the plan included a complete transition from the current relative grading system to an absolute grading system based on achievement standards starting in 2030. Additionally, there were discussions about introducing written and essay-type evaluations in the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT).
This shift is seen as necessary to encourage students to enroll in advanced courses without fear of negatively impacting their grades, allowing them to choose subjects that align with their interests and aptitudes.
Confusion Grows Amid Recent Changes
However, the reaction from the education community has been one of shock and confusion. The Ministry of Education had recently confirmed the five-level relative grading system for high school students entering in 2026, making the timing of the proposed changes particularly contentious.
If the absolute grading system is implemented as suggested, students taking the college entrance exams in 2028 and 2029 would only experience this grading system for two years, raising concerns about the stability of the evaluation process.
Moreover, if all schools adopt an absolute grading system, there are fears that grade inflation could occur, leading universities to distrust high school grades and rely more heavily on other evaluation methods, such as the CSAT or individual university entrance exams.
Commission Responds to Growing Concerns
In response to the escalating situation, the National Education Commission quickly issued an official statement to clarify the matter. They reiterated that the transition to an absolute grading system is still in the draft stage and has not been finalized. Acknowledging the confusion, they stated that the leaked document would be reviewed from scratch to prevent any misinterpretation.
The Commission plans to finalize the national education development plan by the end of March 2027, following extensive discussions and public consultations to ensure social consensus.
However, the leak of preliminary discussions regarding the direction of college admissions has raised concerns about the trustworthiness of the Commission and the anxiety among students, which is unlikely to dissipate soon.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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