The Ministry of Education noted on the 21st that requesting reconsideration of a partial amendment to the 'Elementary and Secondary Education Act', which defined artificial intelligence (AI) digital textbooks as educational materials rather than textbooks, could infringe upon the constitutional right to receive an equal education.
During a Cabinet meeting held that day, Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, acting president and Minister of Strategy and Finance, exercised the right of reconsideration (veto) regarding the amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This amendment is a bill that defines AI textbooks as educational materials. Unlike textbooks that must be used mandatorily in schools, educational materials allow schools to decide autonomously whether to use them.
The Ministry of Education provided three reasons related to its request for reconsideration of the amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
First, the Ministry of Education stated that the current amendment excludes not only AI digital textbooks but also any form of textbooks utilizing intelligent information technology from being developed, utilized, and distributed. Therefore, there is a concern that this could infringe upon students' right to learn and teachers' right to teach based on digital technology, according to the Ministry of Education.
Additionally, the Ministry of Education highlighted that educational materials are not subject to free and compulsory education under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Consequently, unless local education offices allocate separate budgets for support, students and parents may face financial burdens. This could lead to deepening educational disparities based on financial conditions of various regions and schools, which could violate the constitutional right to receive an equal education.
Moreover, the Ministry of Education stated that redefining AI digital textbooks, which have already passed certification, as educational materials could infringe upon the principle of trust protection under the Constitution.
The Ministry of Education said, "As local education offices and the private sector have been preparing extensively, the sudden change in legal status will bring social confusion to schools and other areas," urging once again for discussion in the National Assembly.
As Acting Prime Minister Choi accepted the Ministry of Education's request for reconsideration, AI textbooks will maintain their status as 'textbooks' until the results of a re-vote in the National Assembly. In the case of a re-vote, a bill will be passed if a majority of the members are present and two-thirds or more of the attending members approve.