The South Korean government has designated 1,141 'AI Focus Schools' to enhance education in artificial intelligence across elementary, middle, and high schools.
As the new semester begins, South Korea announces the operation of 1,141 'AI Focus Schools' to strengthen education related to artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative, as revealed by the Ministry of Education on September 9, supports the government's objective to nurture future talents in the digital age, a key part of the Lee Jae-myung administration's national policy. Included in this program are 530 elementary schools, 279 middle schools, 319 high schools, and 13 special education facilities.
The designated schools will significantly increase the number of AI-related classes. Elementary schools will expand their AI education hours from 34 to over 68 by integrating subjects such as practical skills, self-directed learning time, and creative experiential learning. Middle schools will adjust their schedules to provide more than 102 hours of AI instruction. High schools will make AI or basic information subjects mandatory and ensure that students engage in at least one AI or information subject every semester across their three-year curriculum.
In addition to these enhancements, there will be a curriculum that integrates various subjects like Korean, Math, Science, and Social Studies with AI education. The Ministry plans to establish an environment fostering AI ethics education and enables students to practically engage with AI technologies. Teachers will participate in research groups aimed at promoting AI and integrated education, while students can join clubs where they conduct inquiry activities that combine various subjects with AI, as well as partake in career exploration programs in the AI and information fields, with plans to increase these AI Focus Schools to 1,500 by 2027 and 2,000 by 2028, representing about 10% of all elementary and secondary schools in the country.
