Please Be Quiet; Test in Progress

“Will you stop arguing and fighting for just one day on November 16?”

November 16 is the date when high school seniors will take their university entrance exam. On November 10, nearly 100 members from 35 civic groups, including Haksamo, a group of parents united for better schools, gathered at 9:30 a.m. in Sajik Park in Seoul, calling for an environment where “students can concentrate only on their test.” At the meeting, they launched a group of volunteers to help students during the 2007 university entrance exam.

Choi Mi-sook from Haksamo called for cooperation, saying, “It is all parents’ wish to create conditions where their children do not make mistakes and can fully show all their ability. Last year, some students were disqualified to take the exam because they were carrying items banned by the authorities such as cell phones. And demonstrators from the Korean Peasants League protested against the National Assembly’s ratification of rice negotiations. Students found it very hard to stay focused.”

In a letter, Haksamo asked citizens, for just a single day on November 16, to stop arguing and fighting over political, economic and social issues; to not illegally park cars within 200m from exam sites; to offer rides to students; and to refrain from driving cars between 6 and 8:10 a.m. when students will be on their way to exam sites.

The organization added that students or parents can call for transportation help at 02-737-5184 on the exam day.

creating@donga.com