From 2024, the Korean language class hours for first and second graders in elementary schools will increase by 34 hours. Starting from 2025, ‘Basic Mathematics’ and ‘Basic English’ will be introduced as common subjects for students who lack basic academic skills in high school mathematics and English subjects. Also, in the wake of the Itaewon Halloween disaster, safety education will be strengthened.

 

On Dec 22nd, the Ministry of Education announced the ‘2022 revised national curriculum’ with these contents. The revised curriculum will be applied from the 1st and 2nd grade of elementary school in 2024. From 2025, it will be introduced sequentially from the first year of middle and high school. Besides, the Ministry plans to finalize the reform plan for the college admission system according to the new curriculum by February 2024.

 

The Korean language curriculum focuses on improving basic literacy skills. The Korean language class hours for first and second graders in elementary schools will be increased by 34 hours from the current 448 hours to 482 hours. In order to strengthen digital literacy, information education classes will also be doubled. It was decided to increase the information education hours in practical subjects in the 5th and 6th grades of elementary school from the current 17 hours to 34 hours. In middle schools, information classes will also be extended from 34 hours to 68 hours.

 

From 2025, ’free-semester system’ in middle schools will be reduced. The free-semester system is a system that focuses on experience and career education instead of paper-and-pencil tests. However, there was a great deal of controversy over the effectiveness of career education at an early stage and a decline in students’ academic abilities. In the new curriculum, the free-semester system, which is currently applied to both the first and second semesters of the first year of middle schoolers, will be available only one semester of the first year of middle schoolers. Also, career-linked education will be newly established for the second semester of the third year of middle schoolers, before entering high school.

 

 

 

Source: 초등 국어시간 늘리고 디지털 교육 2배로…새 교육과정 확정(동아일보)