Independent Private High Schools Will Be Permitted up to 30

The number of model independent private high schools will be increased in some areas, including the Capital region, next year in order to make up for the problems in the current high school equalization system.

From next year, more high school teachers will participate in the preparation of the college entrance examination questions to control the degree of examination difficulty. In addition to this, trial examinations will be performed, and the provisional score of the entrance examination will be announced.

The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) reported this year`s business plan, which contains those projects, to President Kim Dae-Jung at the Cheong Wa Dae yesterday morning.

The MEHRD announced that, "The Ministry will allow the establishment of independent private high schools and specialized high schools to make up for the problems in the current high school equalization system. Last year, the Ministry selected 5 model independent private high schools, and more schools expressed intention to convert to model schools. Thus, if there are requests for conversion, the Ministry will review them positively."

Currently, there are 5 independent private high schools: Korean Minjok Leadership Academy in Kangwon, Pohang Jecheol High School in Northern Kyongsang-do, Kwang Yang Jecheol High School in Southern Cholla-do, Haeundae High School in Pusan, and Hyundai Cheongun High School in Ulsan. Demonstration High School of Inha University of Hanjin Group Foundation, Shinmyung High School of Gil Medical Center Foundation, and Sangsan High School in Jeonju, which were cut during last year`s selection, are trying to convert to independent private high schools.

The Minstry said, "Because it originally planned to select about 30 schools for the independent private high schools, the Ministry can allow the conversion in the original plan. Also, the Ministry can consider to ease the requirements for authorization based on the situation."

In order to reduce the number of high school students per class to 35 by the end of this year, the MEHRD plans to complete 755 schools` classroom extension work by May and will first finish the organization of the classes for the first grade high school students, who will undergo the 7th education plan.

The Ministry will give 100 billion won every year for three years to develop the fundamental science curriculum. It also plans to establish a database of employment related statistics, to legislate a special law to combine the national universities` general and established accounts, and to run use several foreign graduate schools as models.

inchul@donga.com