Education Ministry Unveils Performance Management Plan Gifted Education Realigned Amid Rush to Medical Schools Expansion of AI, Software-Focused Curricula
The Ministry of Education is moving to establish a support system to identify and nurture artificial intelligence (AI) prodigies early, centered on gifted schools and science high schools. The move is seen as an attempt to realign the direction of gifted education by strengthening talent cultivation in advanced technology fields, amid continued criticism that the identity of gifted education has been shaken by controversy over students advancing to medical and pharmaceutical fields.
According to the ministry's "2026 Performance Management Implementation Plan" released Tuesday, the ministry plans to build a gifted education support system for early identification and cultivation of AI prodigies within the year. It will expand program development and support for operating AI and software (SW) specialized curricula, and will also pursue AI advanced research classes in connection with universities. The ministry will establish a system to identify talent in blind spots, including highly gifted students and gifted students from underprivileged backgrounds. It also plans to strengthen support tailored to the characteristics of individual students.
In particular, attention is drawn to the fact that the ministry has presented AI prodigy cultivation as a separate task at a time when controversy continues over students at gifted schools and science high schools advancing to medical and pharmaceutical fields. Gifted schools and science high schools were established with the goal of nurturing core talent in science and engineering. However, they have faced criticism that their founding purpose is fading as the preference for medical schools continues. According to data submitted to the office of Rep. Han Min-soo of the Democratic Party of Korea by the ministry, a total of 38 students enrolled at gifted schools and science high schools advanced to medical and pharmaceutical fields for the 2026 academic year.
AI prodigy selection is being piloted at some schools. As of the 2025 academic year, Gyeonggi Science High School selected around 10 AI prodigies. Chungbuk Science High School selected three students through its AI Science Talent track. Daejeon Science High School also newly established a SW and AI track for the first time this year. It plans to select within nine students through the track out of a total enrollment of 90.
Experts point out that AI prodigy cultivation should not stop at simple coding education or expanded selection. They say it must provide experience in solving problems at industrial sites through advanced education connected with universities and research institutions. "AI competition is shifting from technology development itself to competition over its use at industrial sites," said Kwak Jung-ho, a professor at Hoseo University. "If we identify AI prodigies early and develop their problem-solving capabilities in advanced industrial fields such as manufacturing, robotics, and on-device AI, they can grow into core talent that will enhance national productivity and industrial competitiveness in the future."
The ministry plans to expand the AI prodigy selection model after preparing admission tracks and curricula according to each school's preparation status. Education circles expect that additional schools could adopt the model as early as the 2027 academic year. "Based on the pilot cases, we are supporting the participation of interested schools," a ministry official said. "Policy research is also under way to prepare a standard admission track."
Original reporting by Shin Seo-hee for Seoul Economic Daily.
AI-translated from Korean. Quotes from foreign sources are based on Korean-language reports and may not reflect exact original wording.
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