Gyeonggi Province Representative Yoo Ho-jun “Establishment of additional science high schools in Gyeonggi-do, a policy that drives children away”

On the 26th, Gyeonggi Provincial Assemblyman Yoo Ho-jun (Democrat, Namyangju 6) criticized the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education’s plan to establish additional science high schools, saying, “Superintendent Lim Tae-hee is trying to force Gyeonggi-do children to make extreme choices.”

In his 5-minute free speech at the 2nd plenary session of the 374th Extraordinary Session, Rep. Yoo criticized the plan to establish a new science high school announced by the Provincial Office of Education on the 23rd as a plan to foster talent in science and engineering.

Representative Yoo Do said, “According to statistics, 3% of middle school students, or almost one child in each class, are attempting an extreme choice, and among students at special purpose high schools, more than 30% responded that they have considered making an extreme choice.”

In addition, he said, “In this situation, the provincial office of education’s announcement of a new science high school is in itself a declaration that it will make the future of Gyeonggi education more unfortunate and drive children into anxiety, depression, and extreme choices.”

Provincial Assemblyman Yoo referred to Superintendent Lim’s push for KAIST reform with Minister of Education, Science and Technology Lee Joo-ho in 2011 and requested that the Provincial Office of Education’s policy be revised, saying, “The already failed policy of competition and ranking should have stopped in the face of the deaths of KAIST members in 2011.” requested.

Recalling his time as a student at a special purpose high school, he said, “At that time, I refused to take the Japanese exam in protest against the uniform competition and ranking education policy, including the implementation of the Japanese exam.”

At the same time, Rep. Yoo Do-do repeatedly emphasized, “We need to think about expanding specialized high schools linked to future industries, rather than science high schools for some students that encourage spending high amounts on private education.”

[ 경기신문 = 나규항 기자 ]