Seoul's Superintendent of Education Jeong Geun-sik has announced a new vision for his second term, titled 'Basic Education for All, Happy Cooperative Education.' This vision aims to expand the constitutional right to education from the current focus on primary and secondary education to include lifelong learning for children as young as three and adults, including seniors.
During a press conference held on the fourth floor of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on July 22, Jeong officially presented the vision and key policy directions for his second term.
The core concept emphasized by Jeong is 'basic education.' He stated, "Article 31 of the Constitution declares that 'all citizens have the right to receive equal education,' but this has been limited to primary and secondary education. We must significantly expand the state's responsibility for education from early childhood learning to lifelong learning throughout life."
To achieve this, he outlined four key principles: strengthening national responsibility for education for children aged 3 to 5, ensuring basic academic skills and building a robust learning safety net, systematizing democracy and constitutional education inside and outside the classroom, and expanding school-based lifelong education to include parents and seniors. The educational indicators proposed are 'Start with a strong foundation, ensure solid basics, and promote diverse growth.'
During a press conference held on the fourth floor of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on July 22, Jeong officially presented the vision and key policy directions for his second term.
The core concept emphasized by Jeong is 'basic education.' He stated, "Article 31 of the Constitution declares that 'all citizens have the right to receive equal education,' but this has been limited to primary and secondary education. We must significantly expand the state's responsibility for education from early childhood learning to lifelong learning throughout life."
To achieve this, he outlined four key principles: strengthening national responsibility for education for children aged 3 to 5, ensuring basic academic skills and building a robust learning safety net, systematizing democracy and constitutional education inside and outside the classroom, and expanding school-based lifelong education to include parents and seniors. The educational indicators proposed are 'Start with a strong foundation, ensure solid basics, and promote diverse growth.'
One Learning Diagnosis Growth Center and Healing Schools to be Established... Five Policy Directions to be Implemented
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has also detailed five policy directions to root this basic education discourse in practice.
First, to foster 'future-oriented holistic education through creativity and empathy,' the number of students receiving artificial intelligence (AI) and digital literacy assessments will be significantly increased to 100,000 annually by 2028, and each student will be encouraged to participate in at least one arts or sports activity to promote balanced growth.
Additionally, to ensure 'responsible education that guarantees learning for all,' the 'Seoul Learning Diagnosis Growth Centers' will be expanded to all 25 districts to assist students with borderline intelligence and dyslexia. The establishment of a public alternative school, tentatively named 'World Middle School,' and the expansion of special education schools are also key initiatives.
Furthermore, a sustainable democratic citizenship education program will be developed, systematizing constitutional, historical, and global citizenship education, and expanding rural study programs from the existing Jeolla, Gangwon, and Jeju regions to include Chungcheong and Gyeongsang provinces. The 'Seoul Parent School 365' initiative will also be strengthened to support parental education.
As part of 'shared educational welfare' to build a robust safety net, support for public transport costs and one-day field trip expenses will be provided, along with a phased implementation of free education for children aged 3 to 5. A Korean language preparatory school linked with universities will be established to help students from immigrant backgrounds adapt to school, enhancing educational safety nets through focused Korean language education and tailored support.
Finally, to create a 'safe and peaceful educational community,' Jeong has prioritized the establishment of 'healing schools' to assist students facing mental health crises. To protect teachers' rights, the scope of immunity for legitimate disciplinary actions will be expanded, and legal support will be provided to ensure a secure teaching environment.
First, to foster 'future-oriented holistic education through creativity and empathy,' the number of students receiving artificial intelligence (AI) and digital literacy assessments will be significantly increased to 100,000 annually by 2028, and each student will be encouraged to participate in at least one arts or sports activity to promote balanced growth.
Additionally, to ensure 'responsible education that guarantees learning for all,' the 'Seoul Learning Diagnosis Growth Centers' will be expanded to all 25 districts to assist students with borderline intelligence and dyslexia. The establishment of a public alternative school, tentatively named 'World Middle School,' and the expansion of special education schools are also key initiatives.
Furthermore, a sustainable democratic citizenship education program will be developed, systematizing constitutional, historical, and global citizenship education, and expanding rural study programs from the existing Jeolla, Gangwon, and Jeju regions to include Chungcheong and Gyeongsang provinces. The 'Seoul Parent School 365' initiative will also be strengthened to support parental education.
As part of 'shared educational welfare' to build a robust safety net, support for public transport costs and one-day field trip expenses will be provided, along with a phased implementation of free education for children aged 3 to 5. A Korean language preparatory school linked with universities will be established to help students from immigrant backgrounds adapt to school, enhancing educational safety nets through focused Korean language education and tailored support.
Finally, to create a 'safe and peaceful educational community,' Jeong has prioritized the establishment of 'healing schools' to assist students facing mental health crises. To protect teachers' rights, the scope of immunity for legitimate disciplinary actions will be expanded, and legal support will be provided to ensure a secure teaching environment.
“Comprehensive Democratic Citizenship Education Plan to be Announced in August... We Must Maintain 20.79% of Education Grants to Realize Our Vision”
During the Q&A session following the vision announcement, Jeong addressed recent educational issues. Regarding the controversy over hate speech in schools and the effectiveness of democratic citizenship education, he remarked, "This is not a problem that can be solved with a few hours of one-sided instruction; intergenerational dialogue to listen to the concerns of students and youth is crucial. We will establish and announce a comprehensive democratic citizenship education plan in August."
On the contentious issue of local education financial grants, Jeong expressed a strong commitment to maintaining these funds. He stated, "The 20.79% ratio linked to domestic tax revenue is a symbolic figure for educational finance that must be preserved. If grants are reduced in the current situation where reserve funds are rapidly depleting, it could jeopardize the implementation of the vision announced today, including integrated education and lifelong learning support."
Additionally, regarding the conflict over the transition of single-gender schools to co-educational institutions, he noted, "This is necessary from the perspective of future population demand and gender equality education, and we will actively utilize conflict resolution committees to address this issue." In response to calls for the abolition of the direct election system for superintendents, he stated, "Educational autonomy is a constitutional value, so I oppose the abolition of direct elections, but we can consider supplementary measures such as party recommendations."
Jeong concluded the press conference by stating, "Seoul is a city with the most educational resources and simultaneously the largest educational disparities. I will respond to this trust with quiet action, ensuring that not a single student is left behind in learning and growth."
On the contentious issue of local education financial grants, Jeong expressed a strong commitment to maintaining these funds. He stated, "The 20.79% ratio linked to domestic tax revenue is a symbolic figure for educational finance that must be preserved. If grants are reduced in the current situation where reserve funds are rapidly depleting, it could jeopardize the implementation of the vision announced today, including integrated education and lifelong learning support."
Additionally, regarding the conflict over the transition of single-gender schools to co-educational institutions, he noted, "This is necessary from the perspective of future population demand and gender equality education, and we will actively utilize conflict resolution committees to address this issue." In response to calls for the abolition of the direct election system for superintendents, he stated, "Educational autonomy is a constitutional value, so I oppose the abolition of direct elections, but we can consider supplementary measures such as party recommendations."
Jeong concluded the press conference by stating, "Seoul is a city with the most educational resources and simultaneously the largest educational disparities. I will respond to this trust with quiet action, ensuring that not a single student is left behind in learning and growth."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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