Imagine rows of desks and the echoes of youthful chatter. This is Gyomoon Middle School. It is more than just brick and mortar. Gyomoon Middle School is a place where futures are molded.
Korean society has always valued education. Learning was not widely available to all until after the Korean War. Less than 20 percent of Koreans had formal education in 1945. The modern education system is based on a 1968 charter. It identifies education as an important aspect of citizenship.
The government’s role is to provide all Korean children access to education. Koreans believe leaders should be the most educated. Passing the civil service exam meant social and material success for a family during the Chosun Dynasty. Even then, private education persisted. Wealthier families splurged on special tutors.
Education is a reason for South Korea’s rapid economic development. It is rooted in respect for the educated. Under the monarchy, educated men were appointed to office. Education was for the few at the top. Korea has long retained the Confucian notion that man is perfectible through education. Educational attainment has become the principal measure of a person’s worth.
The government plays a central role in educational policy. Recent reforms emphasize autonomy for schools. Koreans have made education available to all. The literacy rate quickly reached almost 100 percent. Koreans are among the most educated people in the world. Originally education was provided to prospective leaders. Graduates would gain wisdom and a sense of morality. It served as a check against incompetent government.
Modern education is accessible to everyone. Democratic education has become a mechanism for creating new classes. It offers a chance of upward mobility. As literacy nears 100 percent, the focus has shifted from basic to functional literacy. The Korean government aims for global competitiveness in the information age. Research and development have been promoted especially in science and technology.
Confucianism has shaped ideas about education in Korea. Education means socialization into Confucian norms. The ideal figure was the scholar-official adept at poetry and statecraft. Education started early to master classical Chinese. Most written discourse was in classical Chinese during the Chosun Dynasty. With Chinese language came a cultural penetration of Korea.
Korean Neo-Confucianists believed in the dignity of man. They emphasized education aimed at moral rectitude. Koreans adhered to principles of propriety. Korea earned the nickname of the Eastern nation of etiquette. In Confucian societies, education was a prime qualification for leadership. This education was acquired at great effort. The government staged examinations to test mastery of Confucian ideals.
Buddhism also played a role in education. Buddhist temples served as centers of learning. Formal education has played a central role in Korea. During the Chosun Dynasty, the court established schools that taught Confucian subjects. Higher education was provided by the Confucian national university in Seoul. Students at private and state-supported schools were exempt from military service.
Gyomoon Middle School stands as a testament to Korea’s dedication to learning. It represents a bright future for its students and the nation.