Seoul: All knowledge-based teaching at private academies for children under 3 years old will be strictly prohibited, possibly starting in the second half of next year, the education ministry announced Wednesday. For children aged 3 and older, such teaching must not exceed three hours per day under the government's bid to reduce excessive private education among toddlers and preschoolers.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the new regulations, aimed at protecting the developmental rights of children aged 7 and under, are widely seen as targeting English-language kindergartens. The government plans to amend the law on the operation of private teaching institutes to completely block potentially harmful teaching practices for young children, the ministry stated.

"Improper teaching at private academies will be legally prohibited. In particular, advanced learning should not be provided to children under the age of 3. As a result, English-language kindergartens may find it difficult to operate full-day classes," a ministry official noted. The ministry aims to expedite the amendment of the law to pass it through the National Assembly within this year and implement it as early as the second half of next year.

In a related move, a revised private education law will take effect in October, banning level tests used for student recruitment and ability-based placement.