ID :
188747
Wed, 06/15/2011 - 11:55
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/188747
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Gov't needs to make thorough preparations for five-day school week system
(Yonhap Editorial)
SEOUL, June 15 (Yonhap) -- Beginning in the 2012 school year, the nation's elementary, middle and high schools will be allowed to fully implement a five-day school week system. Primary and secondary schools have implemented five-day school weeks twice a month since March 2006.
The full implementation of the five-day school week system, a move in line with the spread of the 40-hour work week, is being welcomed by teachers, students and parents, but there are also concerns that the new system will increase the parents' burden for private education.
According to a ministry's 2010 survey, 96.3 percent of teachers, 79.9 percent of students and 66.9 percent of parents were in favor of the five-day school week.
"We welcome the system as it allows parents to spend more time with their children for home education and field study, giving students opportunities to have a variety of experiences," said Kim Dong-seok, spokesman for the Korean Federation of
Teachers' Associations (KFTA).
Students will be able to develop their creativity and adaptability while parents can have more time with their children, giving them personal education and strengthening family ties.
Despite the positive aspects of the new system, there are worries that the increase in the number of holidays will expand the private education market and further weaken public education. Private institutes have already been preparing to lure students with various tutoring programs for Saturdays. Since many parents hope to enroll their children in so-called "high-ranking" schools, the decrease in school days will mean an increase in spending for private tutoring.
In order to encourage students to take part in creative activities when they are not in school, the government should set up various cultural and educational programs for the students. The government is advised to establish a network of cooperation with parents, schools and society to give students opportunities to partake in various out-of-school activities.
The decrease in school days will also jeopardize underprivileged people who depend on public schools to educate and take care of their children.
The government needs to set up special measures for parents who are unable to take care of their children on Saturdays, including working couples, proprietors of small business and socially disadvantaged families.
The success or failure of the full implementation of the five-day school week will depend on how well the government prepares for it and how it can minimize adverse side effects.
SEOUL, June 15 (Yonhap) -- Beginning in the 2012 school year, the nation's elementary, middle and high schools will be allowed to fully implement a five-day school week system. Primary and secondary schools have implemented five-day school weeks twice a month since March 2006.
The full implementation of the five-day school week system, a move in line with the spread of the 40-hour work week, is being welcomed by teachers, students and parents, but there are also concerns that the new system will increase the parents' burden for private education.
According to a ministry's 2010 survey, 96.3 percent of teachers, 79.9 percent of students and 66.9 percent of parents were in favor of the five-day school week.
"We welcome the system as it allows parents to spend more time with their children for home education and field study, giving students opportunities to have a variety of experiences," said Kim Dong-seok, spokesman for the Korean Federation of
Teachers' Associations (KFTA).
Students will be able to develop their creativity and adaptability while parents can have more time with their children, giving them personal education and strengthening family ties.
Despite the positive aspects of the new system, there are worries that the increase in the number of holidays will expand the private education market and further weaken public education. Private institutes have already been preparing to lure students with various tutoring programs for Saturdays. Since many parents hope to enroll their children in so-called "high-ranking" schools, the decrease in school days will mean an increase in spending for private tutoring.
In order to encourage students to take part in creative activities when they are not in school, the government should set up various cultural and educational programs for the students. The government is advised to establish a network of cooperation with parents, schools and society to give students opportunities to partake in various out-of-school activities.
The decrease in school days will also jeopardize underprivileged people who depend on public schools to educate and take care of their children.
The government needs to set up special measures for parents who are unable to take care of their children on Saturdays, including working couples, proprietors of small business and socially disadvantaged families.
The success or failure of the full implementation of the five-day school week will depend on how well the government prepares for it and how it can minimize adverse side effects.
