Performance-based bonuses for teachers at primary and secondary schools across the country will be linked to their schools' overall performance, beginning next year, the Education Ministry said yesterday.

The bonus gap among teachers will also increase up to about 1.37 million won ($1,169) in a move to promote competition and enhance public school education, according to the ministry.

The bonus payment has so far been based on teachers' individual performance.

Beginning next year, 90 percent of the bonus payment will be based on individual performance while the remaining 10 percent will be based on the performance of each school they work for.

"More bonuses will be given to the school where teachers closely cooperate with one another to enhance their teaching," Vice Education Minister Lee Ju-ho told a press conference.

A variety of factors, including students' academic achievements, and students' and parents' satisfaction with their schools, will be taken into consideration.

The ministry has also decided not to reflect seniority-related matters in the evaluations to ensure that the bonuses are paid based strictly on performance.

For the school evaluations, each city and province will divide same-level schools into three groups.

Thirty percent of the schools in the same city or province will be given "Grade A," the top grade, while "Grade B" will be given to 40 percent of the schools and "Grade C" will be given to the remaining 30 percent.

-The Korean Herald/Asia News Network