English kindergarten divide: Over 50% of children in southern Seoul attend, under 15% in north

Three in 10 students in Seoul have attended “English kindergartens,” with participation far higher in the city’s southern neighborhoods than in those north of the Han River, suggesting parents in relatively affluent districts are far more likely to send their children to such programs. According to a survey by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education released Sunday, 29 percent of parents with children in kindergarten, elementary or middle school said their child is currently attending or has attended an English kindergarten. The survey polled 25,487 respondents in Seoul — 11,941 parents, 9,006 students and 4,540 teachers. In Korea, English kindergartens refer to private academies that teach young children — typically from around age 3 until they enter elementary school — primarily in English. They have drawn criticism for intensifying the private education industry. Last year, some lawmakers introduced a bill under which all cram school programs in English would be prohibited for children under 36 months. In Seocho District and Gangnam District, the two most affluent distWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times