Private Institutes a Flash Point for Debate About Korean Education
As reported by the Joongang Daily today, the government of President Lee Myung Bak, through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the ruling Grand National Party, are set to release a “Road Map to Ease Private Education Costs” by the end of July. This is the latest salvo in a perennial political battle to curb the influence of private institutes or “hagwons” in Korean education. Reportedly the proposal will ban cram schools for elementary school children after 9:00 P.M. and for middle and high school students after 10:00 P.M.
At a meeting with ministers on June 23rd, President Lee reportedly said that “Getting rid of private education is crucial for reducing the financial burden on lower income households, but it seems hagwons have a strong lobbying capacity.” Although Korea is expected to post negative economic growth this year, spending on private education, including hagwons and tutoring, rose to 20.9 trillion won ($16.4 billion) from 20.4 trillion won a year earlier.