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Zenith 2016

Innovational New Meteor of

Education: Free-Semester System

Since the1980s, with the Korean Education system trying to
produce students who excel in all subjects and smart students
who are good at every subject, Korean parents and some
academies have started a fervor for Education. Therefore, with
their efforts, Korea could become a country which not only has
the ‘smartest students’ but also approach the ‘highest’ suicide
rate of teens. Education experts said ‘Korean education systems
which includes too many academies, and too many performance assessments have been so hard and
stressful that students always seem gloomy, so there should be an Education manager responsible
to build, to remove their stress and to make a better country based on happy students.’ To progress
into better society, last year, the Korean government (Department of Education) and Geun-hye Park
suggested an innovative education system which has never been seen before in Korea. It is called the
“Free-semester system”
This Education system is a policy to give Korean students opportunities to find their dreams and
discover abilities without stress. In fact, this policy was inspired
by the Irish education system which they call ‘transition years’
(the education policy introduced to lead students’ study through
a number of real-life experiences). The common things between
these are omitting testing and being supported by private and
public corporations and communities. Then let’s explore what
the advantages and disadvantages are of a ‘free-semester
system’.
According to interviews of middle school students who studied in school where the ‘free-semester
system’ is run, it is obvious that they could discover their own potential or special abilities to find
their future jobs easily unlike their older brothers or sisters. Also they mentioned that, in their school,
they’ve never experienced discriminations from grades so they have been happy and stress-free.
Also from the parents’ opinions, they were glad that they didn’t need to pay for academies or private

lessons for to raise their child’s grades.
On the other hand, there are some experts who have opposite opinions. According to their
logic, because of the ‘free-semester system’, it is hard for Korean students to experience real and
competitive life in society and warned of the situation where there are some students who can’t adapt
to real society. Also they warned that Korea might lose its own competitive edge from geniuses who
studied in the original Korean education system.
What is your opinion? Is the Original Education system better? Or is the innovative way ‘Free-
semester system’ better? Whatever the government or schools choose, it is clear that every educator
must consider the present happiness and light futures of their students
Jeon, Jonghyeon (2-2) ask6345@naver.com

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