The Democratic Party of Korea has pledged to establish a basic academic proficiency guarantee system as part of its children's policy platform ahead of the June 3 local elections. The plan aims to raise students' declining basic academic skills, despite increased private education spending, by notifying parents and teachers of basic proficiency test results and expanding the number of specialist teachers.
Han Jeong-ae, chair of the Democratic Party's Policy Committee, along with vice chairs Yoo Dong-soo and Park Sang-hyuk, announced the children's policy pledges at the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The Democratic Party said it would first overhaul the basic academic proficiency system, which has been operating only nominally amid controversy over "ranking" students. "We will redevelop the national-level basic academic proficiency assessment tools to cover both cognitive and mental health aspects," Han said. "We will establish a state-led basic academic proficiency management system."
The party also explained that it would strengthen support starting with schools that have high rates of students failing to meet basic academic standards. "Currently, basic academic proficiency results have not been disclosed due to controversy over school ranking," Han stressed. "We will share the results with teachers and parents, and provide budget and specialist personnel first to schools with high rates of students failing basic academic standards."
In addition, the Democratic Party plans to establish a "24-hour regional pediatric medical responsibility system" in which Moonlight Children's Hospitals, pediatric urgent care centers, and pediatric emergency centers cooperate to provide medical care for children during nights, weekends, and holidays.
The pledges also include expanding the "Whole Neighborhood Elementary Care" program nationwide to address gaps in childcare, and having schools and local governments cooperate to provide various care and education programs.
