What if I told you that the students of Sungin Middle School are not only learning math and science but also upholding a centuries-old tradition of academic excellence? Sungin Middle School is a middle school in Seoul’s Dongdaemun District. It stands as a place where education meets tradition.
South Korea has always prized learning. Education wasn’t widely available to everyone until after the Korean War. Before that, in 1945, less than 20 percent of Koreans had any formal education. The modern education system started in 1968. It said education was key to being a good citizen. The government had to give all Korean kids access to education.
Back then, Korean society had strong class lines. Being born into a good family was seen as lucky. Leaders were expected to be well-educated. Passing civil service exams was a path to success for families. Even then, private tutors helped students prepare.
Education in Korea aimed to perfect people. It was thought that education could make people better. As old class systems faded, how much education someone had became how people measured their worth. The government plays a big role in education. But recent changes want schools to have more freedom.
Confucianism greatly influenced Korean education. It taught that society’s leaders should be moral. They should learn about philosophy and history. This would prepare them to make sound moral judgments. Students had to master difficult Chinese. They learned thousands of characters by heart.
In fact, teachers are very respected in South Korea. There is a saying that teachers are as high as God. The lottery system gives teachers equal chances by working in both good and bad schools. Every five years, teachers and principals change schools through a lottery.
Even today, some South Korean schools are better than others. These model schools have high-performing students and staff. Foreign teachers often visit these schools to see how South Korean students learn. South Korean students often learn with games. Teachers try to add games to their lessons.
There are some interesting facts about school in South Korea. South Koreans care a lot about shoe etiquette. Students wear slippers in school. Students also clean their own classrooms. Corporal punishment used to be common. Though less common now, it still happens in some schools. Role-playing lessons use advanced technology for immersive learning.
Until recently, students went to school on Saturdays. But now, they have Saturdays off since 2012. High school is very intense. Students can have 16-hour school days. Many students attend private extra lessons to prepare for exams.
Isn’t it amazing how Sungin Middle School, while being a modern institution, carries within it the weight of centuries of Korean tradition and the pursuit of knowledge? It is a place where the future leaders of Korea are being molded. They are taught not only academics but also respect and responsibility. The education system in South Korea is a testament to the country’s commitment to progress and its deep-rooted respect for learning.