Nestled in the Seongbuk District, Gireum Middle School stands as a beacon of learning. What story does this school hold within its walls?
Gireum-dong is a rapidly developing area. Seoul is developing Gireum-dong into one of its “new towns”. The Seoul City government aims to improve previously less crowded areas.
Education in Korea has a rich history. Learning has been prized for centuries. However, widespread access to education came only after the Korean War. Before 1945, less than 20 percent of Koreans had formal education. A 1968 charter defined education as vital for citizenship. It also defined the government’s role in providing education to all children.
Historically, Korean society was very class-conscious. Birth into a good family was seen as a blessing. Leaders were expected to be highly educated. During the Chosun Dynasty, passing civil service exams was a path to success. Families invested heavily in tutors for their children.
Confucianism shaped Korean ideas about education. Education meant learning Confucian norms. The ideal was the virtuous scholar-official. Students had to master classical Chinese. This involved memorizing thousands of characters.
During the Chosun Dynasty, the royal court established schools. These schools taught Confucian subjects. The Snggyungwan was the Confucian national university in Seoul. Students there were involved in politics.
The traditional Confucian-style state examinations began in A.D. 788. They continued until 1894. Education was a prime qualification for leadership. Examinations tested students’ knowledge of Confucian classics. Passers of the examinations were highly respected. They enjoyed great social status.
Formal education in Korea started in the Three Kingdoms era. The first public educational institution was founded in 372. It was modeled on Chinese institutions.
During the Shilla Dynasty, the hwarangdo system trained young men. They trained for mental and physical strength. Confucianism came relatively late to Shilla.
The Chinese-style civil service examination was first administered in Korea in A.D. 958 during the Koryo Dynasty. The dynasty’s national school was founded in 930.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, modern private schools emerged. Christian missionaries promoted education for women. Japanese policy after 1910 aimed to create obedient colonial subjects.
Mass education began after 1910, during Japanese colonial rule. The Japanese established an educational system. It was designed to train Koreans for subordinate roles. After Japan annexed Korea in 1910, the colonial regime established an educational system.
The government of Japan turned to formal education. They aimed to improve the “market worth” of Koreans. This served Japanese interests. The harshest policy was assimilation. Koreans were forced to change their names. The Korean language was prohibited in schools.
Despite these challenges, Koreans valued education. They saw it as a means of upward social mobility. New fields became important. These included medicine and foreign languages.
Today, Gireum Middle School carries on this legacy. It prepares students for the challenges of the 21st century. It stands as a testament to Korea’s enduring commitment to education.