Academies operate illegal English programs despite warning

Over half of private elementary schools in the capital were found to be violating English curriculum rules despite a warning last year, officials said Wednesday.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, 30 out of 40 private elementary schools were found to have organized English curricula for lower grade students. Teaching English to first- and second-grade students is currently banned.

Some extended the English class hours for the upper grades or introduced foreign textbooks instead of authorized schoolbooks.

The office warned 35 schools last July that measures would be taken unless corrected. Only five schools changed their curricula. The authorities will order once again the schools to take corrective measures. Penalties and measures are under discussion, they said.

Meanwhile, only three private middle and high schools were caught this year. The office has been monitoring these schools since 2012.

(rene@heraldcorp.com)