SNU Professor Roundly Critiques Government Education Policy

Chang Ho-wan, a professor at Seoul National University (SNU) and former chairman of the government’s long-term development plan committee and the SNU faculty committee, suggested that to enhance the international competitiveness of universities in Korea, each school should make reform efforts by taking actions such as ending the presidential direct election system, adopting a faculty salary system, and toughening faculty tenure exams.

At the same time, he stressed that the current government should stop its education policy that views education as a tool to realize social equality.

These suggestions will be presented at Chang’s presentation in a debate titled “Creative Educational Reform and Science and Technology Policy,” which will be held to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the Institute of Economics and Society in the 21st Century at the National Assembly Tuesday.

In particular, Chang stressed that without a self-internal renovation, it will be nearly impossible for schools to become more competitive in a speech titled “Our Choices for the Future of Korea.”

Chang stressed the need for an overhaul of the school presidential election system, faculty evaluation system, and faculty salary system.

“Even though all of Korea’s national universities, including SNU, and some private universities elect presidents through a direct election system, an indirect election system is more desirable method because it allows more discretionary power to presidents,” he said. “I believe that presidents who are elected through the indirect election system can make more of a contribution to school development, especially if we prevent any external factors from affecting the election process, as has been seen under past authoritarian regimes.”

Chang also said that, “The tenure system that was used as a means to protect faculty members from being unfairly treated and to enhance the freedom of academia has turned into an institution that protects substandard professors.” He added that, “By adopting a faculty evaluation system that meets the international standard, we should protect professors who deserve protection.”

Regarding the faculty salary system, he argued that universities should revoke the current seniority-based salary system and adopt an annual salary system based on capability and achievement.

Regarding the government’s education policy, Chang said, “The current government has carried out its educational reform with a view that sees education as a means of social policy that could achieve social equality and evenness. However, education is the nation’s basic engine that strengthens nation’s competitive power through cultivating men of ability,” adding, “The education sector is still suffering from obsolete education policies that just rely on control and regulations.”

On the government’ college admission measures, Chang pointed out that, “The government’s three prohibition policies (no university autonomous examination, no stratification of high school level, and no donation admission) have reduced the quality of our high schools. Under these conditions, it is natural that students end up flocking to schools of higher quality,” adding that, “The government should expand student choices by establishing different kinds of high schools and stop criticizing specialized high schools, such as foreign language high schools, and blaming them for stimulating private tutoring.”

foryou@donga.com