According to the ministry, revisions to relevant rules were approved at a Cabinet meeting amid growing criticism over the widespread practice of testing even infants and toddlers at kindergartens and English-language cram schools for admission or class placement.
Under the new rules taking effect on Oct. 1, all written and oral exams, as well as interviews, will be banned, along with assessments that evaluate or rank children based on their test results.
However, some assessments will still be allowed after a child has enrolled or begun receiving lessons, including those conducted through observation or interviews, although such assessments will require prior consent from the child's parent or guardian.
The revised rules also newly added a legal basis for fining violators while rewarding those who report violators.
Cram schools and other private institutions caught violating the rules or other illegal practices will face fines of 1 million won (US$735) for a first offense, 2 million won for a second offense and 3 million won for a third offense.
In addition, individuals and institutions seeking to provide private tutoring to preschoolers will be required to report their activities to their local education offices.
"The revised rules would help curb excessive private education practices for young children," Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin said.
AJP Takeaways
- South Korea's Ministry of Education announced on Sept. 22, 2026, that private crammers will be banned from administering level tests and other assessments to preschoolers for admission or class placement, effective Oct. 1, 2026.
- Under the revised rules, cram schools and other private institutions that violate the ban face fines of 1 million won (US$735) for a first offense, 2 million won for a second offense, and 3 million won for a third offense.
- Individuals and institutions providing private tutoring to preschoolers will be required to report their activities to local education offices, and Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin said the rules aim to curb excessive private education for young children.
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