Perhaps you’ve heard that South Korean students consider teachers as high as God. Here at Bangwon Middle School this reverence is evident in the respect and dedication shown by both students and faculty. Bangwon Middle School is more than just a place of learning. It’s a microcosm of South Korea’s deep-rooted emphasis on education.
Education in Korea has a long and storied past. Historically Korean society has always valued learning and those who are well educated. Formal education wasn’t widely available to everyone until after the Korean War. As late as 1945 less than 20 percent of Koreans had received formal education of any kind.
The modern education system is based on a 1968 charter. This charter identifies education as an important aspect of citizenship. It also defines the government’s role in providing all Korean children with access to education. South Korea achieved remarkable progress in making education available to all. The literacy rate quickly reached almost 100 percent. Koreans are among the most educated people in the world.
Here at Bangwon Middle School students typically spend about 10 hours per day at school. Many also attend Hagwons which are private after school learning programs. These programs aim to accelerate knowledge and improve English skills. Students see Hagwons as a way to drill their skills and meet new friends.
Bangwon Middle School students also take responsibility for the cleanliness of their school. Each morning before the school bell rings they clean the school grounds. This teaches responsibility and community spirit. Upon entering the Bangwon Middle School building everyone removes their outdoor shoes. They change into school slippers. This shoe etiquette is a common practice showing respect for the learning environment.
Teachers are also highly respected in South Korea. Because education in South Korea plays a key role in the future of the students and the country teachers are seen as pillars of the schooling system. Senior teachers can enjoy increased pay and overall work hours.
In fact teachers in South Korea must rotate schools every five years. A lottery system is held each time to replace the teachers vice principal and principal with new staff. This provides teachers with equal opportunities to work in both good and bad schools. Each teacher is rated receiving points for exams and workshops attended.
Even though corporal punishment is not commonly used at schools it still happens sometimes. Some schools have disciplinary sticks used to make the students reflect on their wrong behavior. In some Bangwon Middle School classes you might find a blue screen technology. This technology is used to enact kids in different situations. You might find yourself in a market checkout scene or a hospital room.
Many Bangwon Middle School students have English names. They get these names from teachers for better immersion in English. It’s a common thing for teachers to create hundreds of papers with English names and put them in a fishbowl. Then students can pick one.
Bangwon Middle School is not just a school. It’s a reflection of South Korea’s commitment to education. It prepares students to be global citizens. It instills in them a lifelong love of learning. As you leave Bangwon Middle School consider the dedication and hard work that define this institution. Remember the teachers are as high as God. Their influence shapes the future leaders of Korea.