Middle schools in Seoul will operate the free semester system as part of their curriculum for first year students next year.
 
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced Monday its plan to run the free semester system in 2016.
 
Under the plan, Seoul middle schools will reorganize their first year curriculum by dividing the school year into an intensive study semester and an exploratory semester.
 
In their first year at middle school, students can take the free semester to explore their talents and map out their future career options by participating in various hands-on activities for more than 170 hours without being bound by tests. 
 
In the exploratory semester, they will take a written exam only at the end of the semester.
 
During the intensive semester, students will be assessed by evaluations focused on their coursework performance, instead of the two fixed mid-term and final exams. 
  
The Seoul education office will later designate 60 middle schools as good operators of the free semester system. The designated schools will then introduce the free semester system to their second and third year students.
 
Starting next year, the free semester system will be operated in all middle schools across the nation.