Yoo Eun-Hye, Seoul’s Education Minister, announced universities will have to select more of its freshmen based on the state-run College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT).
This announcement is a part of the government’s reforms on college admission guidelines and is in line with a directive from President Moon Jae-in’s proclamation in the National Assembly this week.
According to Yoo, the reform will entail universities in Seoul to select more applicants entirely based on their CSAT scores, also known as the normal admissions track, starting from 2022.
This reform plan was necessitated following a frenzied controversy over irregular admissions by private high schools. The admissions track places less importance on CSAT scores and more on extracurricular activities and other skills demonstrated by an applicant.
This many decried as a cause of inequality in educational opportunities between the wealthy and not so wealthy.
Yoo at a press conference at the central government complex in Seoul expressed the president dissatisfaction with the irregularities taking place in the educational sector, saying:
President Moon deeply felt the people’s sense of helplessness in that educational opportunities have been converted so as to allow more opportunities for those who are better-off socioeconomically.
She added that the government was working to bringing about equality in the educational system, necessitating the educational reform. The new policies are also aimed at increasing fairness and reducing the chance of parental influence or wealth to affect the assessment of school records.
Under the new reform Act, 16 universities in Seoul, which have selected more students through irregular admissions, will select at least 40 percent of their freshmen through the CSAT which students across the country take on a single day every year.
The minister also announced that all independent private high schools and will be transformed into regular high schools by 2025. Independent private high schools are financially self-sufficient from the government. In return, they are granted freedom in giving applicant’s admission, developing their curriculum, and choosing fee charge for their tuition.
Private institutions protest against the idea
After the announcement by the education minister, quite a number of independent private high schools have already protested the idea. Some stating since they are financially self-sufficient, without government help, the admission process should not also be selected by the government.
Most of these independent private high schools refusing to disclose the detailed criteria by which they evaluate students.
Importance of Seoul CSAT
The College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) helps students gain admissions into top universities. The exam is so important that many pray during a special service to wish their family members success in the college entrance exams.
Heavy trucks are banned and businesses opening late to ensure students arrive on time. Government offices, major businesses, and even stock market open hours later than usual.
Success in the exam means a place in one of Seoul’s elite colleges seen as key to a future career and even marriage prospects aswell.
