South Korea considers extending elementary school hours to 3 PM

The National Education Commission is reviewing a proposal to extend the regular school hours for lower-grade elementary students, potentially delaying their dismissal until 3:00 PM. The initiative aims to address the childcare gap faced by dual-income families and reduce reliance on private education, noting that South Korean elementary students currently have significantly fewer annual instructional hours compared to the OECD average.

The proposal has met intense opposition from various sectors. A survey by the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union revealed that 99.1% of surveyed elementary teachers oppose the extension, citing concerns over increased student fatigue, stress, and the loss of play and rest time. School principals have also expressed concerns regarding the potential overlap with existing after-school programs and the practical challenges of managing increased school stay times.

While proponents argue that extending school hours is a way to bolster the role of public education and ensure equitable access to diverse learning experiences, critics suggest that the government should instead focus on strengthening existing childcare systems, such as the Neulbom School program, rather than unilaterally increasing regular instructional time.