Superintendent Kim Daejung: "Multiple-Choice Assessments to Shift to Written and Essay-Based Format"

"Pilot Introduction of Written and Essay-Based Assessments for Elementary Schools Next Year"


Roundtable Discussion with Seolwol Girls' High School "Archive" Club Students in Gwangju

The Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City Office of Education announced on July 13, 2026, that Superintendent of Education Kim Daejung met with members of the "Archive" newspaper and broadcasting club at Seolwol Girls' High School in Gwangju on July 10, holding a roundtable discussion in the "Dream 365 Study Room."

This meeting was arranged at the voluntary invitation of the students and centered around the theme, "Designing the Future of Jeonnam Gwangju Education Together with Students."

Superintendent Kim Daejung met and talked with club students of Seolwol Girls' High School in Gwangju. Provided by Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City Office of Education

The discussion lasted for about one hour, during which lively communication took place. The attending students posed in-depth questions on key local education issues and challenges, including the superintendent's core goals for the term, measures to bridge the education gap between the Seoul metropolitan area and Gwangju-Jeonnam, strategies for a virtuous cycle of local talent and job creation, and ways to promote the high school credit system.

Superintendent Kim cited "a fundamental transformation of assessment methods" as his top priority. He stated, "We will innovate the current multiple-choice evaluation system, which only requires fragmented knowledge, into a written and essay-based assessment system that focuses on critical thinking and creativity." He added, "Although there will be challenges in the field, we will thoroughly prepare and introduce this as a pilot program for elementary school students from next year and ensure it is firmly established in schools," expressing his strong commitment.

As his second goal, he emphasized the realization of "local production and local consumption" in education. Just as energy produced in a region is consumed there, he outlined a plan to create a system where outstanding local talent nurtured in Jeonnam and Gwangju remains and settles in the region, rather than moving elsewhere.

He remarked, "We expect a significant number of quality jobs to be created in advanced industries such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) in our region," and stressed, "We will expedite preparations to link tailored career and vocational education so that local students can be the first to secure excellent jobs and realize their dreams."

He also presented comprehensive support plans for the "high school credit system," a core policy for future-oriented education. Superintendent Kim promised, "We will actively support students so that they can freely choose subjects that match their career paths and aptitudes by strengthening cooperation systems with local universities and expanding online school operations."

Superintendent Kim did not forget to offer warm words to the students. He said, "If you dream big, achieving even 50% of it is a tremendous accomplishment," and encouraged them affectionately, "During your school years, I hope you embrace the biggest dreams possible and never be afraid to take on challenges."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.