Songdo School Opening to Be Delayed Again
By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
Chadwick School in the U.S failed to submit documents required for it to operate the Songdo International School (SIS).
"The opening of the school has been delayed again. Chadwick was supposed to submit all necessary paperwork by March 15 but they failed to meet the deadline," Ku Hyuck-chae, director of the education ministry, told The Korea Times.
"If they are unable to send the required papers by the end of May, we will disallow its Songdo school plan."
Asked whether SIS could open in September, the director said it is questionable as it seems Chadwick and Gale International, the New Songdo International City developer, are in conflict over the contract conditions, including the lease period of the school land.
He added this is linked to Gale's recent troubles after it had an audit and inspection by the Korean government.
Previously, Incheon expected Chadwick to receive approval in February and open the school this month.
Gale International first selected the U.S.-based International School Service (ISS) in 2007 November to run the school, but ISS withdrew in 2008 as it would have been unable to fill admission quotas under the previous regulations.
At that time, SIS, which was subject to a special law for FEZ, could only enroll Korean students equal 30 percent of the total intake.
Following ISS' withdrawal, the regulation was revised allowing the special school to attract more Korean students.
The Vancouver International Primary and Secondary School (VIPS) was the second choice, but its candidacy was not approved last year following a two-month screening.
Last January, Chadwick, located in Los Angeles, became the third applicant with its K-12 curricula.
Regarding the continued failure of Gale International in opening the school, Kim Jong-tae, a city government official, said it usually takes time to open a school and they don't blame the American company.