[Young children test burden.Photo Credit to Pixabay]

In a notable move for early childhood education, the preschool English academy industry in South Korea has decided to eliminate entrance exams for children aged four to seven.

The change is intended to strengthen the protection of children’s rights and reduce the early academic pressure many young learners face. 

On August 21, the National Academy Federation announced new internal guidelines prohibiting entrance exams or similar practices at preschools nationwide. 

According to a recent survey of 248 preschool English-language preschools, 11 institutions were still requiring entrance tests. 

Under the revised guidelines, all member academies will now admit students through either “a first-come, first-served system or a lottery,” explicitly ruling out admissions exams.

The abolition of entrance exams is to ensure that children can develop in an educational setting centered on play and exploration, without the heavy burden of early test preparation.

Advocates stress that removing exams at such a young age will help prevent unnecessary anxiety and foster healthier growth. 

Statistics underline the urgency of such reforms. 

The number of children aged 0 to 6 visiting psychiatric clinics for mental health concerns has risen sharply over the past five years, from 17,938 in 2020 to 27,268 in 2024, which is about 1.5 times higher.

Experts say that relieving young children of testing pressures can positively influence their emotional and psychological development.

At the same time, officials and educators emphasize that admissions methods without exams promote fairness.

These processes provide equal opportunities for applicants regardless of financial background or access to private tutoring, and they can ease the financial burden on families.

Currently, nearly half of Korean children under six (47.6%) receive private education, with families spending an average of 330,000 won per month, according to a government survey.

However, some concerns remain.

Parents worry that without exams, the chances of enrolling their children in their preferred institutions may shrink, limiting their options.

Past experiences also raise caution.

In 2012, methods such as first-come, first-served and parent recommendations were restricted after they led to unintended problems, including parents hiring part-time workers to wait in line and the creation of so-called “elite kindergartens” based on referrals.

Observers warn that if entrance exams are banned, academies may respond by introducing alternative assessments such as level tests or informal evaluations, which could once again push families toward private tutoring and early academic training.

The elimination of entrance exams is viewed as a positive change toward fairer and healthier early education.

Some education specialists note that more steps are still required to make sure the policy fulfills its purpose of protecting children’s well-being and broadening access to learning.

To fulfill the original intent of protecting child rights and realizing educational equality, ongoing efforts are needed, including transparent administration of policies, building social consensus, and effective monitoring of practices.