Most Koreans regard exclusivity and elitism as a serious problem in our
society.
According to a survey conducted by the Korean Overseas Information Service
(Sep. 2003), a majority of Koreans (87.7%) felt that forming exclusive
groups centered around a small number of elite schools and discrimination
against outsiders runs high in our society. Of the respondents, 31.9% stated
that they have actually felt discriminated against in the workplace and
society.
Areas of perceived discrimination: job-search (38.9%), promotion
(35.7%), humiliation (20.1%), marriage (4.8%), etc.
According to a study conducted in November 2003 by the Korea Research
Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET), a majority of the
general public (61.0%) perceived belonging to such exclusive elitist group
as a key factor for success in Korean society.
Such exclusive elitism is regarded as playing a more detrimental
role than discrimination based on education level (15.9%), cronyism
based on regional connection (9.2%), and nepotism (9.1%).
Exclusive elitism: A general definition of exclusive elitism is a
social phenomenon where social and economic discrimination exists solely
on the basis of one's school background regardless of an individual's
capabilities (horizontal elitism).
Elitism based on years of schooling: A social phenomenon where
individuals are discriminated according to the years of schooling they
have received (high-school graduate, college graduate).
Deep-rooted elitism is the culprit for the distortion of primary,
secondary and college education.
Primary and secondary education focus primarily on preparation for college
entrance exams. As a result, public education has been undercut by private
tutoring, unable to perform its purported role, while parents are struggling
with the excessive burden of private education costs.
Estimated cost for private education: 13.6 trillion won (KEDI,
2003)
Universities are also negatively affected by such elitism which has a
harmful effect on efforts to pursue academic excellence in colleges.
Competitiveness in higher education: Ranked 28th among 30 nations
(IMD, 2003)
Exacerbated national competitiveness as a result of deep-rooted
elitism
Concentration of high-quality human resources in a handful of top-level
universities and majors impedes development of individual talent and human
resource placement and utilization.
Such trend eats away at national as well as individual competitiveness
resulting from avoiding science and engineering and lopsided preference
for a small number of fields.
Weakened corporate and national competitiveness stemming from distorted
distribution and utilization of human resources.
The most important factor in the hiring review process by
corporations: university education background (Korea Labor Institute,
Sep. 2003)
89% of those who pass government-administered higher civil service
examinations in the fields of civil service, foreign relations and
technology are graduates from universities located in the Seoul
Metropolitan Area (2003).
National competitiveness: Ranked 15th among 30 nations; Government
efficiency: Ranked 18th among 30 nations (IMD, 2003)
Continuing adverse impact of elitism throughout society may result in
discord and polarization among social classes.
Elitism brings about psychological deprivation and a feeling of
inferiority among the general public.
Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (Nov.
2001): Psychological deprivation (70.6%), feeling of inferiority
(57.4%)
The handing down of elitism further aggravates inequality among the social
classes.
Number of students admitted to Seoul National University per 100
high-school graduates (categorized by each district in Seoul): 2.7 in
Gangnamgu (highest ranked district), 0.25 (lowest ranked) (KDI,
2002)
A weak sense of community interferes with the establishment of trust
throughout society which is the foundation for social advancement.
Calls for a comprehensive pan-government measures with the cooperation of
the private sector
To overcome such elitism deeply related not only to the field of education
but also to the entire social structure in a complex manner, the government
as well as the private sector must join forces to define the roles of the
government and those of the society in an effort to devise comprehensive
measures.
The Human Resources Development Council has agreed to establish
comprehensive measures through joint efforts by the government and the
private sector (June 25, 2003).
Overcome elitism which emphasizes one's university background rather than on
individual competence, resulting in undue social and economic
discrimination.
Method
The government shall take the initiative in the public sector and
corporations and the private sector shall follow suit. Such strategic movement
is anticipated to encourage a change of attitude throughout society.
Discrimination based on educational background is deeply rooted in the Korean
society and culture, making it difficult to overcome with a stop-gap
measure.
Measures shall be divided into short-term, mid-term, and long-term plans
to create a collaborative system among related government offices and the
private sector.
1. Improve the University Ranking System and Provide Support to Local
Universities
1-1 Support for Diversification of Universities and Pursue Uniqueness
Based on the individual philosophy and human resource capability of
universities, schools shall be categorized into research-centered,
education-centered, and vocational skills-centered education
institutions.
Categorization of the university as a whole as well as individual
majors within the university shall take place simultaneously.
Assessment of universities related to categorization and
identification of its strengths shall be conducted to provide support
for selected superior universities.
Establish an assessment system for each university category
Categorize the university assessment standards and proportions by
utilizing the Korean Council of University Education's assessment of
education institutions and scholastic areas.
Encourage universities to develop academic areas with competitive edge
through active implementation of university assessments.
Diversify categories of projects to be financially supported depending on
quality of human resources and project format.
Universities shall select fields of competitive edge and determine the
target quality of human resource development.
Restructure financial support programs to respect the decisions made
by universities regarding the category to which the universities feel
they belong. The programs shall also cooperate closely with related
projects of other government offices on a long-term basis.
Support for university restructuring including reducing student enrollment
and merger/closing of majors
Encourage universities to undergo restructuring centered around
specialized fields designated by universities. Administrative as well as
financial assistance shall be intensified towards universities' efforts
to merge/close majors and to streamline the overall university
structure.
Reestablish the roles and functions of national universities and private
universities and set up plans for further development
National universities shall concentrate on fundamental areas and
fields of national strategic importance.
1-2 Improvement Measures Related to National University Management
Active support for forming mergers among national universities
Establish a legal basis for a union/merger among universities and
provide financial support for the formation of mergers among
universities.
Provide support for expanded autonomy regarding budget execution,
organization management, and human resource policies within the
university unions.
Examples of university unions
Daegu Gyeongbuk area: Gyeongbuk University, Kumoh National
University of Technology, Daegu National University of
Education, Sangju National University, Andong National
University
Gwangju Jeonnam area: Chonnam National University, Mokpo
National University, Sunchon National University, Mokpo National
Maritime University, Yosu National University
Examples of university mergers: Jeonnam Provincial College and
Provincial College of Damyang (2003)
University mergers under plan: Kangwon National University,
Kangnung National University, Samcheok National University, Chucheon
National University of Education located in Gangwon Province
Exchange of faculty, students, and credits among national universities
through an integrated network
Examples of private universities: Credit exchange programs among
Yonsei University, Sogang University, and Ewha Womans University (March,
2004)
Diverse plans such as incorporating national universities are under
review as mid-term and long-term plans.
Japan, for example, has incorporated 99 national universities as
special administrative corporations beginning in March 2004.
1-3 Intensify Enforcement of University Faculty Quota System
Supervise the enforcement of the Education Civil Servant Employment
Ordinance which limits the recruitment of faculty with bachelor's degree at
certain universities.
Violators shall be disadvantaged when receiving financial
assistance.
Currently, national or public universities shall not hire more
than 2/3 of the new hires with only bachelor's degrees (Article 4,
Section 3 of the Education Civil Servant Employment
Ordinance).
1-4 Improvement of College Admission System
Improvement of the contents and administration method of the College
Scholastic Ability Test
To alleviate parents from the soaring private tutoring costs, the
College Scholastic Ability Test shall consist of items taught and
learned in the classroom.
To normalize public education, more high-school teachers shall be
selected as examiners of the College Scholastic Ability Test.
Student selection process based on student records
Increase the proportion of the impact of student records in the
selection criteria and encourage universities to consider
extracurricular activities performed by students.
Seek measures to increase the level of reliability of the records of
students' school performance through school inspections.
Diverse student selection methods
A Special Committee shall be established under the Education
Innovation Committee, a presidential advisory committee, to devise a
mid- to long-term plans to be implemented after 2008.
The College Scholastic Ability Test shall serve as an auxiliary tool
in the student selection process, while student records, special talents
and aptitude shall play a central role.
1-5 Raising Competitiveness of Local Universities
Raise the competitiveness among local universities through the university
specialization plan
"The Innovation Project to Reinforce the Capabilities of
Universities Located Outside the Seoul Metropolitan Area" shall
pave the way for concentrated support for specialized fields at local
universities.
Local universities with programs that foster high-quality human
resources in specialized areas shall receive large-scale support
from local industries and the local government.
Through the establishment of the local innovation system and
high-quality human resource development programs, a balanced
national development shall be achieved.
Local universities with a well-devised academia-industry collaborative
system shall receive large-scale support.
To support science and engineering majors that can benefit local
industries, the Project to Promote Universities with
Industry-Academia Collaboration Programs (2004, 30 billion won)
shall be implemented.
Policy to expand the employment of local university graduates
The introduction of the Employment Quota System for Local University
Graduates and the Employment Recommendation System for Local University
Graduates shall expand the employment of local university graduates in
the government sector.
If local university graduates consist 20% or less of the total
number of candidates who have passed the exam for level 5 public
officials, an additional number of local graduates shall be selected
(Employment Quota System for Local University Graduates)
1 point below the passing score within 5% of the total number of
successful candidates
Select 30 local university graduates annually among those
recommended by university heads for special employment. Candidates
shall be hired as level 6 officials for three years of employment on
a contractual basis (Employment Recommendation System for Local
University Graduates).
Administrative positions: 15 candidates, Technological positions:
15 candidates, within 10% of the total 6-level candidates from the
local cities and provinces.
Introduce the private sector with the Local Human Resource Employment
Promotion System which includes providing incentives to companies hiring
local university graduates.
2. Establishment of the Human Resource Management System Based on Competence
in the Public and Private Sector
2-1 Improvement of the Human Resource Management System in the Public
Sector
The Office of the Prime Minister shall conduct assessments of government
ministries related to their efforts to improve the human resources
management system and reward those departments that have made exemplary
improvements.
Encourage the private sector to follow suit through an incentive
system implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister. l Seek balance
in the hiring distribution of university graduates in administrative and
high-ranking positions.
The process of appointing ministers, deputy ministers, and administrative
officials shall include an aptitude test as well as a balance in regional
factors such as a balance in university distribution.
The proportion of Seoul National University graduates among
administrative officials of minister level in the Participatory
Government: 57.2% (Seoul Newspaper, March 28, 2003)
While human resource management of high-ranking officials shall be
executed under the principle of performance and aptitude, regional
background of personnel or university distribution shall be taken into
consideration so that a balance can be attained in the composition of
personnel.
2-2 Support for Human Resource Management in the Private Sector
Corporations adopting a competence-based human resource management system
using a variety of assessment methods shall benefit from financial
incentives.
Actively promote an independent wage system based on performance such
as annual salary and incentives mutually agreed upon by the employer and
the union.
The government shall provide financial support to research
institutes to develop and distribute human resource management assessment
tools that can be utilized by private companies.
Develop and distribute a standard model for corporate human resource
management (e.g. human resource development diagnosis assessment model
for private corporations currently under plan by the Ministry of
Labor).
2-3 Introduction of the Korean Skills Standard (KSS) System
A national standard developed by the government to assess individual job
performance in the industrial sector. The standard provide guidelines for
education, training, and certification programs.
KSS may serve as a tool for assessing the diverse capabilities of
individuals and may reduce the influence of educational background of
individuals in the hiring and performance assessment process.
The National Skills Standard (NSS) in the U.S. and the National
Occupational Standards in the U.K. are some examples from advanced
nations which serve as a starting point for implementing education,
training, and certification programs on a national level.
2-4 Policies to Provide Benefits for Skilled Workers
To create a social atmosphere where competence rather than superficial
educational background is valued, policies that benefit skilled human
resources shall be introduced.
Increase support for winners of technical skill contests;
Promote technical skill contests to foster high-quality human
resources;
Raise the social status of skilled manpower.
3. Eliminate Discrimination Related to Educational Background by Improving
Related Laws, System, and Practice
3-1 Proactive Ban on Discrimination through Legislative Action
Basic laws on anti-discrimination which includes principles and definition
of anti-discrimination and guidelines for determining discrimination is
currently under consideration by the National Human Rights
Institution.
The Basic Laws on Employment Policy which bans discriminating against
job candidates on the basis of the university from which they graduated
by private companies shall be spread to the entire society to eradicate
discrimination.
3-2 Encourage Improvements in the Practice of Human Resource Management in
the Corporate Sector
Encourage private corporations to eschew the practice of hiring based on
university education background of candidates
Through recommendations from the National Human Rights Institution and
civic groups, corporations are advised to eliminate listing educational
background in the application forms and to do away with the practice of
awarding bonus points to graduates of top-level universities during the
review process.
3-3 Promote Employment Policies for Human Resources from Local Areas
Establish a system linking training and utilizing human resources on a
local level
Through collaboration among the industrial sector, academia, research
community and the government, education programs focusing on human
resource development in specialized fields shall receive wide
support.
Increase employment rate among university graduates (70% after
five years, currently 57.6%), improve quality of employment, and
enhance satisfaction level among corporations regarding graduates of
local universities.
Transform the combined efforts into a national movement through active
campaigns such as introducing success stories from government as well as the
private sector.
Custom-made employment support programs for female workforce in local
areas
Through projects which take into consideration regional characteristics,
women with high-level educational backgrounds shall be encouraged to find
employment in specialized fields.
3-4 Engage in Promotional Campaigns by Introducing Success Stories from
Domestic Corporations as well as from Abroad
Case studies that overcame the elitism culture
Identify and reward cases where individuals and/or groups successfully
eliminated elitism.
Publish pertinent cases from advanced nations.
3-5 Across-the-Board Government Support for Organizations to Overcome Elitism
on a Continuous Basis
Create and operate a civilian monitoring team in order to conduct
continuous monitoring and to express opinions regarding efforts to eliminate
elitism.
The analysis of results and opinions produced by the monitoring team
shall be reflected in policies of related government offices through
meetings consisting of working-level officials.
4. Innovation of the Social Psyche and Career Education
4-1 Campaign to Reshape the Perception of Society l Reshaping social
perception on a national level
Campaigns through the media, support for conferences on improvement of
human resource management held by private corporations or groups.
Support for independent activities of related organizations
Elevate the status of movements launched by civic groups into a
national campaign
Examples of campaigns launched by civic groups: "Create a
Society without Elitism" and "A Society Free of
Elitism"
4-2 Seeking Media Cooperation Regarding Reports of Instigating Elitism
The media is advised to exclude information on the educational background
of the members of the National Assembly and government officials during an
election and/or appointment process as well as to withhold information on
university grades during the application season.
4-3 Parent Education Program
Launch programs to change parents' view of education.
Open and offer a wide range of parent education programs on the
school, local education office and regional levels.
Provide accurate information regarding education and establish a
system of sharing information by holding regular parent counseling
sessions.
4-4 Improve Career Education and Vocational Guidance at School
Establish an across-the-board government support system to implement
efficient career and vocational training programs
Establish a Career Education Council on a central and local government
level and strengthen ties between government offices by sharing roles
and information among organizations.
Establish and operate an online National Comprehensive Career
Information Network linking homes, schools, counseling agencies,
universities, and private corporations.
Link Career Net, Work Net, and Korea Network for Occupations and
Workers (KNOW)
To assist students find their aptitude, capabilities, and interests
rather than fostering an elitist mentality, a systematic guidance system
that provides students the opportunities to identify, explore and choose
their careers shall be implemented.
Results of students' aptitude/interest test shall be provided to
parents and also be utilized as guidance resource for individual
students.
Introduce the Career Decision Advisement System (Career Selection
Guidance System) which assists students in making a choice between
furthering their education or entering the job market depending on
their aptitude and capability.
Establish links among schools, youth counseling centers and regional
employment centers.
Organize and operate regional student counseling volunteer groups
consisting of parents.
Encourage schools to fully utilize the "Career and
Occupation" book, provided to elementary schools, middle schools,
and high schools, during extracurricular or independent study
time.
Organize and operate regional student counseling volunteer groups
consisting of parents.
Strengthen career and vocational guidance capabilities for
teachers
Increase teacher training programs (3,000 teachers in 2004),
reduce required teaching time for counseling teachers (6~8 hrs per
week)
Support for career development centers for female college students to
promote work experience
Establish and support career development centers for female college
students at five universities nationwide to enable a head-start for
female college students in gaining work experience.
