Ministries at odds over IT for CSAT

The ministries of education and knowledge economy are at odds over the latter’s unilateral decision to make information technology one of the subjects for the College Scholastic Ability Test, a state-administered university admission examination.

While the Knowledge Economy Ministry justifies the plan that IT education is essential for enhancing global competitiveness, the education authorities oppose it for putting too much of a burden on students and possibly shaking up the education field.

Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-kyung on Thursday announced that he will discuss with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology adding IT to the CSAT’s science section, the third part of the four-section examination.

“In U.S. or India, computer algorithm and programming is included in their regular curriculum,” Choi said.

However, his ambitious plan collided with the Education Ministry on Friday, when the authorities officially denied the plan for being too extreme.

The Korea Institute of Curriculum and Evaluation, affiliated with the Education Ministry and in charge of the CSAT conduction, said the inclusion of IT was never discussed before. Currently, CSAT’s science section consists of physics, chemistry, biology and geology.

“There are some elements of IT in some high school subjects such as technology and homemaking,” a researcher from KICE was quoted as saying to a newspaper. “We can consider combining IT with physics or other subjects, but establishing an independent sector is another story,” he added.

Officials complained that the Knowledge Ministry’s announcement will only leave students and their parents confused since CSAT is considered one of the most important events in the nation. Applicants and their parents are extremely sensitive about change in the smallest details and the aftermath is sometimes enormous.

The ministry has been considering reducing CSAT subjects to lessen the academic burden on students and adding IT to the burden is highly unlikely, insiders said. “The KICE outlined CSAT plan already and we cannot accept any alteration now,” an education ministry official said.

But what offended the ministry most was the decision-making and delivery procedure. The education authorities weren’t told any part of Thursday’s announcement.

“It is quite unmannerly of them to announce such an influential issue without consulting with us in advance,” an education ministry official said. The Ministry released its official stance refuting the knowledge authorities Thursday evening but withdrew the disclosure in 20 minutes, apparently concerned over further clashes with its counterpart.

The Knowledge Ministry admitted that the report could be seen as inappropriate. “We will try to work with the Education Ministry in the future,” a ministry official was quoted as saying to a newspaper.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)