30 `model schools` to open this year

Some 30 primary, middle and high schools across the nation will be designated as ``model schools`` this year and equipped with educational conditions comparable to those of advanced countries in a bid to overcome a looming crisis in public education.

The model schools will be chosen during the second half of the year, one or two each in the six metropolitan cities of Seoul, Pusan, Taegu, Taejon, Kwangju, Inchon and Ulsan and nine provinces of Kyonggi, Kangwon, South Chungchong, North Chungchong, South Cholla, North Cholla, South Kyongsang, North Kyongsang and Cheju.

The plan to operate the model schools was revealed in a report by Deputy Prime Minister and Education-Human Resources Development Minister Han Wan-Sang, which was delivered Saturday to President Kim Dae-Jung at Cheong Wa Dae.

The initiative is aimed at discouraging parents from emigrating to foreign countries for the sake of their children`s educations. The model schools will be chosen from among existing public schools. The ministry will supply materials aimed at reforming teaching methods and the schools will be staffed with superior teachers.

The ministry also decided to seek legislation of the Special Law on the Prevention of Campus Violence in collaboration with civic groups such as the Juvenile Violence Prevention Foundation. The ministry hopes that the National Assembly will initiate the bill. The envisioned law would reinforce the punishment of students guilty of committing violent acts and require their parents to do public service work.

In a bid to boost the quality of teaching here, the ministry plans to send 50 elementary and middle school teachers abroad for two years to study and work at various private companies. The ministry will also introduce a ``welfare credit card`` with which teachers can purchase various daily necessities at discounted prices.

In order to create a better environment for learning, the ministry will reduce class sizes to 35 or less at elementary and middle schools and 40 or less at high schools by opening 1,009 new schools by 2004 at a total cost of 10 trillion won. The ministry will license 22,000 new teachers by 2004 and invest 600 billion won to expand educational facilities.

It also will introduce self-supporting private schools from 2003, one year later than originally planned, which will be vested with the right to recruit students, set school fees and decide on curriculum.

Ha Joon-Woo hawoo@donga.com