To mitigate the multi-tiered, social segregation system that the Japanese left behind, the Basic Education Law was implemented in 1949 unifying  the education system. The summer vacation is from mid-July to late August, and winter vacation from late-December to early February. The Japanese imposed their curriculum and methods of teaching, which highly influenced the Korean education system even after they left the country. Comparative Education Review. In general, the most crucial subjects to be considered are English, Korean, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. The current education system is still governed by these policies with 9 years of compulsory education for all students and entrance exams are only for high school admission and an exit examination is used for university admission. For over 400 years until 1873, Korea had been closed to outside contact. South Korean education ranks high, but it's the kids who pay Menu Close This created 6 years of compulsory education from the moment children reached age 7. After primary school, children move onto middle school, known as Jung Haggyo, and then High School (Godeung Haggyo). At the same age, children are involved in studying the basics of mathematics. et al. It also opened up education access to the general public, which influenced the way the Korean’s macro and micro education structure when the occupation was over and the reformation of the Korean republic began. Individuals without a college education, including competent workers with vocational school backgrounds, frequently were treated as second-category citizens by their skilled, college-educated managers, in spite of the importance of their attainments for economic growth. The highest mountain of South Korea is Halla-san, also called Mount Halla, with a height of 1950 m/ 6400 ft. Halla-san is a shield volcano and one of three volcanic mountains on the Korean peninsula. Son Kye-Rim. Education in South Korea, Provided by WPMU DEV -The WordPress Experts | Designed by WebDesignLessons.com      Students have alternatives of taking part in either early conclusion plans for college or regular admittances. By increasing accessibility to education -whether compulsory education or vocational education – the Korean population would be able to specialize and have the knowledge of the various fields that support the country. There are six years of primary school, three years of lower secondary school and three years of upper secondary school, which is either academic or vocational. (2010). Ministry of Education. Fleischman, H.L. However, education was only accessible to the elite, which meant that the class segregation kept Korean society highly hierarchical. “Confucianism has provided these countries with high levels of social capital in the form of strong family structure and norms of frugality, hard work, and a high valuation of education.” (Sorensen, 1994, p. 11) Therefore, education had always been fairly structured and emphasized in Korean culture. Even President Barack Obama of the United States praised South Korea saying that the U.S. needed to catch up to the South Korean education system. Elementary schools (Korean: 초등 학교, 初等學校, chodeung hakgyo) consists of grades one to six (age 8 to age 13 in Korean years—7 to 12 in western years). South Korea was the first nation in the world to render high-speed Internet access to all primary, junior, and high school. South Korea was the first nation in the world to render high-speed Internet access to … Obama has openly praised South Korea for its education system and the children of South Korea for their daily hours of dedication to studying, perhaps without fully understanding the repercussions. South Korea’s education system is technologically advanced and it is the world’s first country to bring high-speed fibre-optic broadband internet access … Most Korean students study at the undergraduate level. (26 Jan 2011). Teachers will earn between 2 and 3 million South Korean Won (KRW) a month (between $1,800 USD and $2,650 USD). Halla-san is an active volcano, however, it has not erupted in many centuries. Students in North Korea are taught the communist ideology and also the greatness of their leaders such as Kim Jong II and Kim II Sung through education. In general, the most crucial subjects to be considered are English, Korean, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. 1." However, classes in many coeducational high schools are still divided along gender lines. The Korean public education structure is divided into three parts: six years of primary school, followed by three years of middle school and then three years of high school. The Japanese occupation forced all Koreans to follow that Japanese societal structure and educational structure. Although the Japanese occupation was extremely oppressive, it made the Koreans realized the importance of gaining access to education, which furthered their value on education. Population of South Korea . Between 2015/16 and 2016/17, undergraduate enrollments declined by 8 percent while graduate enrollments only dropped by about 1 percent. In Reference Materials for Supervision No. 1994. South Korea sits on the 'Ring of Fire' where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. As a colony of Japan, Korea was made to conform to the Japanese’s colonial administration. But South Korean students pay in other ways, meaning we shouldn't be so quick to try to replicate their system. Vol. “Suicide is everywhere,” says South Korean author Young-ha Kim, referring to modern Korean society, in his op-ed for the The New York Times.Countless others have documented what some call “the scourge of South Korea” – the fact that people of all classes, ages, and genders are committing suicide at exceptionally high rates. With the increasing number of students entering high school, vocational high schools were reintroduced in 1963. Teaching for the SMOE program in South Korea will allow you to live comfortably and possibly save a bit money. Approximately 67% of high school graduates progress to higher education. The human resources in Korea now had a choice to attain certain skills from these vocational schools. By increasing the literacy rate, the Korean population are more equipped to make better decisions about societal changes. 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