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Korean SAT should only cover what's taught in school, Yoon says

Published: 16 Jun. 2023, 10:16 Updated: 16 Jun. 2023, 10:34

President Yoon Suk Yeol [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

President Yoon Suk Yeol told the education minister Thursday to exclude material that is not covered in public schools from the annual college entrance exam, his office said.

Education Minister Lee Ju-ho was told as such while briefing Yoon on education reforms, one of the top three reforms pushed by the administration, along with labor and pensions.

"It's hard to stop people from resorting to private education in order to supplement what they learn in school when it comes to material covered by public education," Yoon said, according to his office.

Yoon told the government to devise ways to reduce private education expenses, citing their recent increase, Lee said during a press briefing at the presidential office.

The state-administered college entrance exam, or formally the College Scholastic Ability Test, is one of the nation's most important academic events, during which airplane takeoffs and landings are banned nationwide for the English listening portion.

Yoon also called for college reforms, saying the government, businesses and educational bodies should work as one to foster a workforce equipped for a rapidly-changing digital society, according to Lee.

In particular, the president noted the need to break down "barriers" between colleges and told the minister to fully support innovative colleges that "break barriers."

On child care, Yoon called for transferring all related work handled by the welfare ministry to the education ministry, saying the aim should be to provide world-class child care and education for young children.

He also called for strengthening Korean language education for children from immigrant backgrounds to ensure they are not discriminated against for their lack of Korean skills.

Yonhap