The Ministry Of Education Investigates Hana Academy In Seoul For Alleged Admission Irregularity
A teacher from Hana Academy in Seoul allegedly reported several irregularities with their school involving mostly board members and staff, which prompted authorities to conduct an audit, reported Korea Herald.
During the investigation, authorities have found that major contracts were awarded to companies run by individuals who are related to the Hana Financial Group, which holds authority over the Hana Academy's board of trustees, without having to go through the mandated public bidding process.
The school also allegedly hires teachers without regard for transparency and fairness and is also suspected of concealing a school violence issue involving the son of a former official at the Blue House in 2011.
What's more surprising is the issue in 2011-2013 that the school allegedly offered additional points in the admission exams to male students accounting to a total headcount of 90, while academically skilled female students lost their chances of being admitted to Hana Academy due to fraud.
According to Korea JoongAng Daily on Nov. 16, Seoul's Ministry of Education gives high schools permission to manipulate the gender balance of students admitted in their institutions provided that they first consult with the ministry - a requirement that Hana Academy in Seoul failed to observe.
Hana Academy claimed having one dormitory each for girls and boys and recognized that it needed to maintain the gender ratio.
Hana Financial Group Chairman and member of the board of the Hana School Foundation Kim Seung Yu, along with eight other individuals from the school, will reportedly be charged for domestic law violations on operating private schools. Once convicted, the autonomous private high school status of Hana Academy may be removed.
The law also states that licenses of schools proven to be involved in admission or school personnel corruption may be revoked.
"We'll look into the alleged admission-test manipulation, teacher employment procedures, as well as the school violence cover-up," noted a Seoul Ministry of Education official.