The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development and the ruling Uri Party have decided to block Seoul National University's (SNU) move to use an integrated essay test for its entrance examination for the 2008 entrance year. They made that decision saying that SNU's test plans go against the goal of normalizing high school education. If the school refuses to comply with the education ministry administrative measures will be taken, and if necessary legislation enacted. It is welcome to have the government and ruling party making it clear they intend on normalizing education.
SNU's test plans have been criticized by education-related organizations for being an altered version of an entrance test specific to the school administering it. Its "integrated essay test" would be very hard to prepare for through current high school education, and so some people are saying it would make private tutoring unavoidable. There are serious concerns that competition to get into "special purpose high schools" will become excessive. Private universities are announcing similar plans. The education ministry should have gone after the problem before the politicians got involved, but it is fortunate that it is at least making its position clear now.
Some might criticize the education ministry and members of the National Assembly by saying they are singling out a university for an all-out war. In theory they would be right to say so. This is not normal. Even more abnormal, however, is everything surrounding Korea's university entrance procedures. The reality of the situation is that the whole of high school education is determined by the direction of SNU's entrance test, and that the market for private tutoring reacts as well. The suffering of young students in that process cannot be expressed in full. Society cannot accept the claims about "university autonomy" in such a situation.
Whether the situation leads to a resolution where autonomy is maintained while the school carries out its responsibilities to society or not lies entirely with SNU. No one wants to see the education ministry taking measures against SNU or regulating entrance procedures through legislation. The school should put the controversy to rest by changing its attitude immediately.
The Hankyoreh, 7 July 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] SNU Must Resolve Exam Controversy |
