Korean Institute of Information Scientists and Engineers
(https://www.kiise.or.kr/academyEng/main/getContent.faEng?content_no=1&MENU_ID=010100)

The Korean Association of Computer Education

Ministry of Education

Education System Structure

Education Structure Overview* (e.g., primary, secondary, K-12, tertiary or higher education, with technical/vocational tracks)

   Korea has a 6-3-3-4 system:

• 6 years of primary education
• 3 years of lower secondary (middle school)
• 3 years of upper secondary (high school)
• 4 years of tertiary (university undergraduate)

The system is centrally governed by the Ministry of Education and emphasizes academic achievement, standardized testing, and, increasingly, vocational training and lifelong learning.

1. Primary Education

• Grades: 1–6
• Ages: 6–12 years
• Compulsory: Yes

2. Secondary Education

A. Lower Secondary – Middle School

• Grades: 7–9
• Ages: 13–15 years
• Compulsory: Yes

B. Upper Secondary – High School

• Grades: 10–12
• Ages: 16–18 years
• Compulsory: No (but nearly universal enrollment >95%)

Tracks:

1. General Academic High Schools
   • Prepare students for university
2. Specialized High Schools
   • Science High Schools, Foreign Language High Schools, Arts Schools
   • Selective admission with specialized curricula
3. Vocational High Schools

Education System Structure
Pupil age range when computing/IT is introduced into the curriculum*

Elementary (Grade 3–6), 8–12 years - Digital literacy, basic typing, file use

Middle School, 13–15 years - Basic programming, algorithms, technology ethics

High School, 16–18 years - Programming, app/web development, AI, data

 Stage 1: Introductory Computing for Grades 3–6:  

- Basic computer operation

- Keyboarding, file handling

- Using educational software

- Introduction to the Internet and searches

- Safe use of technology

Stage 2: Foundations of Programming and ICT for Grades 7–9:

- Introduction to algorithms

- Block-based programming (e.g., Scratch, Entry - Korean block-based language)

- Basics of problem-solving and logical thinking

- Cyber safety and digital citizenship

- Simple projects (web pages, games)

Stage 3: Specialized IT Education for Grades 10–12:

-Text-based programming (Python, Java)

- Web/app development basics

- Networking and data communication

- Databases and spreadsheet modelling

- Computational thinking and algorithms

- AI basics (introduced in pilot programs)

- Project-based learning

Stage 4: Vocational/Specialized Tracks for Grades 10–12 in Vocational High Schools or Special-Purpose High Schools:

- Programming (Python, C, Java)

- Network configuration

- IoT, robotics, mobile development

- Cybersecurity fundamentals

- Big data analysis

- AI model applications

 Elementary School (Grades 3–6):

• Subject Area: Practical Arts
• Core Topics:
• • Basic computer operations (mouse, keyboard, file handling)
  • Internet safety and ethics
  • Introduction to block-based coding (e.g., Scratch, Entry)
  • Basic algorithms and logical thinking

Middle School (Grades 7–9):

• Subject: Informatics
• Core Topics:
• • Computational thinking and algorithm design
  • Programming using block-based tools (Scratch, Entry)
  • Problem-solving using control structures and variables
  • Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning
  • Information ethics (copyright, digital safety)

High School (Grades 10–12):

• Subjects:
• • Informatics — an elective in general academic schools
  • Specialized IT tracks — in science/vocational high schools
• Core Topics:
• • Programming with Python, Java, or C
  • Data structures and algorithms
  • Database and spreadsheet modelling
  • Web and app development (HTML, JavaScript)
  • Networks, cybersecurity
  • AI concepts and project-based applications
  • Ethical and social impact of IT

Elementary Schools:

Scratch, Entry, word processors

Middle Schools:

Scratch, Entry, Python (optional), Teachable Machine (for AI), flowcharts

High Schools:

Python, Java, C, HTML/CSS/JavaScript, SQL, Arduino, App Inventor, Micro:bit

Elementary Schools:

Mandatory: ICT components within Practical Arts (Grades 3–6)

Middle Schools:

Mandatory: Informatics

Some schools offer additional clubs or AI electives

High Schools:

An elective in general high schools: Informatics

There are specialized IT electives in science or vocational schools

Vocational High School ICT courses are mandatory within the school’s track (e.g., IT, software, data)

National Curriculum   

Governed by the Ministry of Education. Revised approximately every 5–10 years

2022 Revised Curriculum

Educational Institutions and Access

Notable institutions providing computer science/IT education* (universities, colleges, technical schools);

Seoul National University (SNU) is top-ranked in Korea; it is strong in AI, data science, theoretical CS

KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) is internationally recognized; leading in AI, cybersecurity, robotics

POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) is focused on research-driven CS education; it is strong in computational theory, systems

Yonsei University is known for software engineering and interdisciplinary technology programs

Korea University offers Software and AI majors; it has high industry placement

Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)    is Samsung-affiliated; it has advanced facilities for applied AI, IoT

UNIST, GIST, DGIST are government-funded research-oriented universities with emerging strengths in CS/IT

Educational Institutions and Access

Digital access in schools (such as Internet access, computer-to-student ratios); 

Educational Institutions and Access

Equity and access challenges* (rural versus urban, gender disparities, etc.)

National Initiatives and Policies

Digital education policies, including uses of Generative AI in schools (with weblinks where possible)

National Initiatives and Policies

Computer science/IT teacher training programmes; 

National Initiatives and Policies

Government or NGO partnerships; 

National Initiatives and Policies

Sources of funding and investment in educational technology; 

National Initiatives and Policies

Language of instruction in IT; 

National Initiatives and Policies

Government/state/public versus private sector involvement; 

National Initiatives and Policies

Key industry involvement

Statistics and Data

Number of students enrolled in computer science/IT subjects at specific ages (linked to longitudinal data if possible); 

Statistics and Data

Numbers of graduates in computer science /IT (linked to longitudinal data if possible); IT workforce pipeline data (linked to longitudinal data if possible); Gender ratios in IT fields (linked to longitudinal data if possible)

Resources and References

Links to Resources (e.g.: Curricula)  or Guideline websites;

Research reports or case studies;

Policy documents; Contact information for the National Representative

NCIC National Curriculum Information Center

Resources and References

Research reports or case studies;

Policy documents;