[Public Opinion Brief 63-2] The Three Dilemmas of Educational Perception

[Public Opinion Brief 63] The Controversy over Foreign Language High Schools and Solutions to Educational Dilemmas as Seen Through Public Opinion

1. Controversy over Foreign Language High Schools and Educational Perception

2. The Three Dilemmas of Educational Perception

Complex Problem Structures, Proliferation of Conflicting Policy Attitudes, and Pervasive Pessimism

Complex Problem Structures: A Combination of Social Climate, Institutional, Educational Field, and Consciousness Issues

Younger Generation - Blames Society, Older Generation - Blames Parents / Low-Income - Blames Parents, Middle-Income - Blames Society, High-Income - Blames Institutions

Broadening the perspective, a notable characteristic revealed in public opinion regarding educational issues as a whole is the wide variation in perceptions of the dimensions of educational problems and the sources of responsibility. The perceived dimension of the problem dictates the subject and starting point for its resolution. If the issue lies with parental attitudes, then the private sector, such as parents or the media, becomes important. If it is an issue within the educational field, then the roles of teachers and students are crucial. For institutional problems, the roles of politicians and the government become significant. Issues concerning the social climate require adjustments to social structures and culture.

Indeed, the most frequently cited reason for the worsening of educational problems in Korea was the 'caste-based social climate,' with 35.3% of respondents selecting this option. The 'examination-oriented education system' was identified as the biggest problem by 23.7% of respondents, followed by 'parents' selfishness regarding their children's education' at 20.7%, and 'the declining quality of school education' at 17.8%.

[Figure 2] Causes of Educational Problems

There were also significant differences in perspectives across socioeconomic strata. Among low-income households earning less than 1 million won per month, voices pointing to parental selfishness were high. However, among middle-income households, the proportion blaming the caste-based social climate was higher. Conversely, among households earning 4 million won or more, the focus was on institutional reform by the government and political circles, by pointing to issues within the examination system. Differences in perception also existed by age group. Among those in their 20s, 52.9% cited the caste-based social climate as the cause, exceeding half of the respondents. For those in their 30s and 40s, the proportion citing the caste-based social climate was around 34%, with the examination system cited by 27-28%. In contrast, among older individuals aged 50 and above, 'parents' selfishness' was cited by 30.7%, indicating a significant emphasis on parental responsibility.

Overall, while structural factors such as the caste-based social climate are relatively frequently cited across all strata, opinions pointing to the system, the educational field, and parental attitudes are also considerable. In other words, the primary factors distorting educational problems are diverse, with differing views on the nature of the problem and the locus of responsibility. This implies that achieving social consensus on who should address what first is difficult. It is a structure where it is hard for the government, a specific political party, or a particular group to lead the problem-solving process or prioritize specific issues.

Ambivalent attitudes toward education transcending progressive-conservative divides are spreading.

37.3% in favor of policies strengthening competition among students vs. 58.4% against; opinions are divided even among ideological conservatives.

72.7% in favor of teacher evaluation system vs. 24.1% against; 67.6% of progressives also in favor.

Another characteristic confirmed by the results of this public opinion poll is that ambivalent attitudes, where conflicting sentiments coexist, are forming the majority, moving beyond the ideological framework of progressive versus conservative. In response to the excellence and competition enhancement policies emphasized by the current government, 37.3% of the general public answered in favor, citing 'improvement of skills through competition,' while 58.4% expressed a negative evaluation, stating it 'imposes excessive burdens on students due to excessive competition.' Overall, public opinion tends to believe that competition among students is excessive and should be alleviated. This result is consistent with the majority opinion demanding the conversion and abolition of foreign language high schools in the case of foreign language high school issues.

However, the prevalence of public opinion favoring the alleviation of competition among students does not imply a blanket rejection of competition itself. The teacher evaluation system, proposed with the aim of inducing competition among teachers through one of the most contentious issues in the education sector, received overwhelmingly positive support. As many as 72.7% were in favor, with 36.7% strongly agreeing and 36.0% somewhat agreeing. Conversely, only 17.3% somewhat disagreed and 6.7% strongly disagreed.

Overall, public opinion favors alleviating competition regarding the government's excellence-focused education policies, while favoring the promotion of competition for the teacher evaluation system aimed at enhancing teacher competitiveness. It can be seen that different stances are taken in evaluating each issue. [Figure 3] Evaluation of the Lee Myung-bak Administration's Excellence-Focused Policies (%)

[Figure 4] Results of Support/Opposition for the Introduction of the Teacher Evaluation System

Notably, regarding the government's excellence-focused policies, opposition opinion was close to a majority not only among progressives advocating for competition alleviation but also among conservatives. While only 29.8% of ideological progressives supported the government's competition and excellence enhancement policies, 68.8% opposed them. In the case of ideological conservatives, 44.7% supported the government's competition enhancement policies, while 49.3% opposed them. Although it is true that conservatives exhibit a stronger inclination towards competition enhancement compared to progressives, the fact that opposition opinion is close to a majority even among conservatives, who have emphasized competition, indicates a significant divergence from the assertion that conservatives = competition enhancement.

Conversely, regarding the teacher evaluation system, support opinion was high not only among conservatives who emphasize competition but also among progressives who have opposed it. 72.1% of conservatives and as many as 77.9% of centrists supported the teacher evaluation system. Even among progressives, 67.6% supported the teacher evaluation system. This can be interpreted as a broad consensus that competition among students appears excessive even to conservatives, and competition among teachers is urgently needed even to progressives who advocate for alleviating competition. It reveals a duality and conflicting perception where, rather than unconditionally viewing competition generally as positive or negative, there is opposition to competition among students while support for competition among teachers.

[Figure 5] Evaluation of the Lee Myung-bak Administration's Excellence-Focused Policies by Ideological Tendency (%)

[Figure 6] Stance on the Teacher Evaluation System by Ideological Tendency (%)

Pessimism Prevalent Across All Strata

Pessimistic outlook on private education costs under the current administration: 49.6% expect worsening, 34.8% expect similar, 10.7% expect improvement.

Pessimistic outlook is high across all strata, with temperature differences existing based on support for the ruling party.

The pessimistic outlook of the public regarding educational issues can be considered one of the main factors complicating educational problems. Looking solely at the issue of private education costs, one of the biggest problems in Korean education, 49.6% responded that 'the problem of private education costs in our country will become more serious during the current administration's term,' and 34.8% predicted 'it will remain at the current level.' In contrast, optimistic predictions of 'improvement compared to now' accounted for only 10.7%, indicating that pessimistic predictions of no improvement or worsening are dominant.

[Figure 6] Outlook on Private Education Costs During the Current Administration's Term

The pessimistic outlook on private education costs is widespread across all strata. By income level, among those with a monthly income of 1 million won or less, 62.2% (38.3% worsening), in the 1.01 to 2 million won monthly income bracket, 81.0% (47.6% worsening), and in the middle-income brackets of 2 to 3 million won, 90.9% and 90.0% respectively (53.1%, 53.4% worsening) presented pessimistic outlooks. Even among income groups of 4 million won or more, 92% (51.0% worsening) had a pessimistic outlook on the private education cost issue. By age group, 91.1% (48.0% worsening) in their 20s, 93.8% (63.5% worsening) in their 30s, and 89.6% (47.7% worsening) expected the situation to remain the same or worsen, while those in their 50s and above showed a slightly lower rate of 81.3% (43.0% worsening). By educational attainment, individuals with a university degree or higher showed 91.1% (55.1% worsening), and those with a high school education showed 83.3% (43.6% worsening) not expecting the private education cost issue to improve. However, among those with secondary education or less, 57.7% (37.2% worsening) expected worsening or maintenance of the current level, with only 19.2% giving optimistic responses for improvement. 23.1% responded they did not know.

However, there are temperature differences between strata depending on socioeconomic status and political stance. The response that it will become more serious was higher among those in their 30s, individuals with university degrees or higher, and middle-to-upper income groups who are critical of the ruling party, while the proportion of pessimistic responses was relatively lower among those in their 50s and above, those with a high school education or less, and income groups below 2 million won.

Among those who responded negatively to President Lee Myung-bak's administration of state affairs, 63.2% predicted worsening private education costs, and 30.1% predicted the continuation of the current level, while only 4.8% predicted improvement. Among President Lee's supporters, 31.4% expected worsening private education costs, and 41.8% expected the current level to be maintained, with 18.6% predicting improvement. While relatively more optimistic than those critical of the President, the fact that even among the President's supporters, less than 20% anticipate an improvement in educational issues indicates the widespread nature of pessimism regarding educational problems.

[Table 1] Survey Results on Government Policies and Private Education Outlook by Stratum

Note: Results for 'Don't know/No response' are not shown.

[Figure 7] Outlook on Private Education Costs by Support for President Lee Myung-bak (%)