Level tests at English kindergartens (English institutes for young children), once called the "age 4 exam" and "age 7 exam," will be completely banned.
The Ministry of Education said on the 12th that a bill to amend the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Private Teaching Institutes and Extracurricular Lessons (Hagwon Act) passed the National Assembly's plenary session.
The core of the amendment is to bar institute founders and operators from conducting tests or evaluations when recruiting young children or assigning them to classes. Violations will result in business suspensions or fines.
The Ministry of Education said, "If an oral test makes young children nervous and negatively affects their physical and mental development or emotions, it can be interpreted as a prohibited evaluation."
However, after a child registers at an institute, "diagnostic activities," such as observation or interviews with prior consent from a guardian, are allowed. Specific standards, procedures, and methods for diagnostic activities will be set by presidential decree.
The Ministry of Education said it expects "unnecessary early competition to ease and a sound educational environment suited to young children's developmental stages to become possible."
The amendment will take effect six months after promulgation.