Private Education Institutes (hagwons) Remain Controversial
The heavy reliance of South Korean students on private educational institutes to supplement what they learn in public schools is a major news item these days. As reported in the Joongang Daily, “The Education Ministry and lawmakers from the ruling Grand National Party yesterday agreed to withdraw the proposal by a high-ranking Blue House official to prohibit private education institutes, or hagwon, from having classes after 10 p.m., ending a month-long controversy. ”
However, the same meeting to resolve the matter also produced a range of reform measures on the admissions system for foreign language and science high schools, as part of the government’s agenda to battle private-education fever. This remains a major issue in South Korea’s education sector.