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Reductions in the percentage of disenfranchised students in major private universities

An amendment to the law is currently being pursued that would require universities to select 10% of more of new students from among disenfranchised groups including disabled persons and low-income households.

On Mar. 11, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said it would be issuing a prior announcement as of Mar. 12 for an amendment to the Higher Education Act to institute the changes. A new Article 34-7 concerning “social integration-oriented selection management” is to be introduced according to the planned amendment.

The provision states, “[Universities] must ensure at least a certain percentage of their total recruitment from among those requiring differential educational compensation in order to provide opportunities for higher education without discrimination.” While universities are currently selecting disenfranchised candidates based on their own special criteria, the amendment would oblige them to adopt certain national standards. Another new provision states that universities in Greater Seoul “must work to ensure at least a certain percentage of their selection intended for the purpose of balanced regional development.”

The amendment is being pursued as a follow-up measure to a plan presented by the MOE last year for “strengthening fairness in university admissions.” Amid strong clustering trends observed according to high school type and region in entrance examinations for the top-ranked universities, the ministry announced that it would “recommend requiring at least 10% of selection from among social consideration targets and a balanced development-related selection rate of at least 10% for universities in Greater Seoul.” The amendment is to undergo prior announcement and legislative review before being presented to the National Assembly. Specifics concerning the social integration selection targets and selection percentage are to be determined by enforcement decree once the law has been amended.

The MOE also issued prior announcement for an amendment to the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Private Teaching Institutes and Extracurricular Lessons that would restrict individuals from employment at learning centers, tutoring services, and private academies for three years after leaving a position as a university admission officer.

By Choi Won-hyung, staff reporter

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