Education for Gifted to Expand into Primary Schools

The Seoul City Education Board has decide to expand its prodigy program currently centering on middle and high schools into primary schools, and further allow schools to establish prodigy education institutes replacing the existing class-level system.

Young students completing the prodigy course will be qualified to enter high-tech science high schools with special scores added to their applications.

The education board announced on February 10 a plan to expand the education program for the gifted in 2003, aiming to increase the number of classes and students from 580 in 29 classes to 1,210 in 66 classes.

According to the plan, the prodigy education program will cover not only middle and high school students but also primary school students beginning this year as 240 fifth and sixth graders from 8 schools in West, North, Gangdong and Gangseo districts enroll in mathematics and science classes set for talented students.

So far, the program for the gifted has mostly been extracurricular, with students taking their time out on weekend, during vacations or after school. Beginning this year, however, prodigy classes will be introduced as regular curriculum if approved by parents and school principals. Schools will also be allowed to establish a prodigy education institute if necessary.

For middle school students, Seoul Science High School and Hansung Science School, which are currently running a prodigy education course respectively, will set up a prodigy education institute, while Seonrin Internet High School introducing an information system education institute for mostly first and second graders in middle schools.

100 high school students will be allowed to attend mathematics and science classes at the Seoul Education Science Research Institute, which will set up an institute for talented students and develop an evaluation tool, programs and teaching methods.

As the education board decides to let students completing the prodigy courses in science, mathematics and information enter special high-tech science high schools without taking a test, some express concern that the program might serve as a means of entering the special high schools.

˝We have decided to offer benefits in entering science schools for young talented students,˝ said Yoon Woong-seop, education policy director at the Seoul Education Board. ˝We do not think the plan will backfire since the benefits will only be offered to a limited number of specially talented students.˝

Seong-Chul Hong sungchul@donga.com