By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
Many foreign schools in Korea are crowded with Korean nationals, lacking the diversity that international schools should have, said Harlan E. Lyso, 61, head of Seoul Foreign School (SFS).
``The enrollment of most foreign schools in Korea includes a large percentage of ethnically Korean students. The percentage of students from the host country is likely smaller at schools outside of Korea,'' Lyso said in an interview with The Korea Times.
Lyso will soon leave for his home country after 16 years here.
The government plans to ease rules to allow more Korean nationals to attend foreign schools. Under the current education law, Korean students are required to prove more than five years of residence overseas for admission to foreign schools, but the government recently announced that Korean students who have stayed overseas for more than three years can now apply to the schools.
Lyso believes foreign schools should exist for foreign nationals ― not for Korean students. He said he understands that Korean students who have attended schools outside Korea for several years could have difficulties adjusting to Korean schools.
However, he confirmed any government revision of the definition of Korean students who would be eligible to attend foreign schools would have no impact on the school.
``Unlike many foreign schools in Korea, SFS admits only students holding foreign passports, and it does not plan to adjust the school's admissions criteria,'' he said. ``By requiring that all students and at least one parent hold foreign citizenship, Seoul Foreign School has intentionally sought to retain a student body that is truly international in nature.''
Founded in 1912, SFS accommodates some 1,500 students from more than 50 countries in its K-12 system. It is the most popular foreign school in Seoul. Lyso attributed the school's success to its restrictive admissions policy, hinting that a growing number of Korean students would hamper the foundation spirit of foreign schools.
More than 10,000 students were studying at 51 international schools in Korea as of last September. Among them, 1,426 or 14 percent are Korean nationals, according to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
Still, Seoul needs more foreign schools and the city government is seeking to attract renowned international schools by offering land at a reduced rate. About 7,000 school-aged children from OECD member countries reside in Seoul but the current 21 foreign schools in the city can only accommodate about 6,000.
As the demand for foreign schools is growing, the Korean government plans to ease many other restrictions involving foreign schools here. Under the revised law planned for this coming December, Korean corporations and investors can run foreign schools and students attending foreign schools can advance to domestic universities as curricula of the schools will be compatible with Korean schools.
Accordingly, the Korean government is expected to tighten its supervising role on foreign schools. However, Lyso thinks the government should continue its hands-off policy.
``The government has wisely chosen not to become involved in the management of the school. We have been free to implement an exemplary international curriculum and employ outstanding teachers and construct needed facilities without excessive government interference,'' he said.
``In this regard the Korean government has served as an exemplary model that the governments of other countries would be wise to emulate.''
Regarding tuition for foreign schools, which many parents say is expensive compared to those of other countries, he said fees at SFS are competitive with the major foreign schools in China.
``Admittedly, the cost of attending a foreign school in Korea could hardly be described as inexpensive. That said; the cost of operating a quality international school in Korea is much higher than many parts of the world. Housing costs for teachers, food costs and local labor costs are much higher than China, for example,'' he said.
He continued ``our parents expect that their children will enjoy an educational program that is at least on par with what they would have experience in their home country. Providing such a program in Korea is costly.''
Although he is leaving Korea, Lyso said he will do as much as he can to act as an emissary for Korea. ``Seoul has truly become our home. I love Korea and have such great respect for all that the Korean people have accomplished. I do hope that Korea will be recognized by others around the world for the remarkable country that it is.''
Before coming to SFS, Lyso headed schools in the Caribbean, South East Asia, and West Africa. He also served with organizations committed to developing international schools, including the Council of International Schools, the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools, the Association of International Schools in Africa, and the Association for the Advancement of International Education.