The number of students who dropped out of general high schools nationwide last year was found to have reached the highest level in the last five years. Dropping out includes expulsion, withdrawal, and leave of absence.
According to an analysis of school information disclosure by Jongno Academy on the 10th, the number of dropouts from general high schools nationwide last year was 18,498. This is an increase of 1,258 (7.3%) compared to the previous year.
The number of dropouts from general high schools has been increasing each year: ▲2020: 9,504 ▲2021: 12,798 ▲2022: 15,520 ▲2023: 17,240.
The number of dropouts is sharply increasing in the Gyeongin area schools. Compared to 2020, the dropout rate increase last year was ▲Gyeongin area: 110.01% increase (3,498→7,346) ▲Seoul area: 94.41% (1,520→2,955) ▲Local area: 82.72% (4,486→8,197). In the local area, the provinces with the highest numbers of dropouts were Gyeongnam, Busan, Gyeongbuk, Chungnam, Gwangju, Jeonbuk, Daegu, Daejeon, Gangwon, Jeonnam, Chungbuk, Sejong, Ulsan, and Jeju.
Im Seong-ho, the representative of Jongno Academy, noted, "When we see that the number of dropouts is relatively high in regions with a strong educational enthusiasm, it may indicate that students who are disadvantaged in school ranking are increasingly trying to prepare for the college entrance exam through the high school equivalency exam." He added that the recent increase in school violence cases might also contribute to school maladjustment among students.
Starting from the current first-year high school students who will be applying for college entrance in the 2028 academic year, the school grading system has been changed from a 9-point scale to a 5-point scale. In the 9-point system, a student must be in the top 4% to receive a grade of 1, but under the 5-point system, a grade of 1 can be awarded to those in the top 10%.
Experts in the entrance exam field predict that this increase in dropout rates will continue. Representative Im stated, "In a situation where students who cannot enter the top 10% are pushed down to the 2nd or 3rd grades, many students may choose to drop out if they anticipate disadvantages in gaining admission to top-tier universities, such as those located in Seoul."