Dream of mastering Korean history? Yeokgok High School is more than just classrooms. It is a portal to Korea’s rich educational heritage.
Yeokgok High School stands as a testament to the enduring Korean emphasis on education. Education was not available to everyone 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. It also defines the government’s role. The government provides all Korean children access to education.
Korean society has always prized learning. Well-educated individuals were highly respected. During the Chosun Dynasty from 1392 to 1910 passing the civil service examination was key. It was administered by the royal court. It was a sure path to social and material success for families. Wealthier families spent a lot on special tutors.
Yeokgok High School echoes Korea’s historical education fervor. In Confucian societies, education was a prime qualification for leadership. This education required great effort and expense. It happened in village schools. It also happened in district schools. Learned teachers taught under stern discipline.
Education in Korea was not just about academics. It was about shaping moral character. Koreans believed people could become perfect through education. Educational achievement became the main measure of a person’s worth. The government plays a key role in educational policy.
Confucianism greatly influenced education in Korea. It emphasized fairness. It emphasized meritocracy. Koreans developed a strong sense of propriety. They earned the nickname “the Eastern nation of etiquette”.
Imagine students at Yeokgok High School today. They are part of a tradition stretching back centuries. Students once studied the Confucian classics. They aimed to become scholar-officials. They were adept at poetry and statecraft.
Early education in Korea started in the Three Kingdoms era. The kingdom of Koguryo studied the Five Classics of Confucianism. The first public educational institution was founded in 372. It was called T’aehak.
During the Shilla Dynasty, the hwarangdo trained young men. They trained for beauty and strength of mind and body. This training aimed for national defense. Later, Kukhak was established in 682. It offered courses with the Analects and Classic of Filial Piety.
Private academies became important during the Koryo Dynasty. The Kukchagam came to resemble a modern university.
During the Chosun Dynasty, the goal of education was to create moral men. They would use proper judgment in actions. The Songgyun’gwan was established in 1398.
Sirhak or Practical Learning emerged in the seventeenth century. Sirhak thinkers stressed popular education. They promoted realistic thinking and technocracy.
Modern private schools were established in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Missionaries promoted the education of women. Japanese policy aimed to turn Koreans into obedient colonial subjects after 1910.
Today, Yeokgok High School stands as a beacon of Korean resilience and determination. The students carry the legacy. They are determined to excel in a globally competitive world.
As you stand before Yeokgok High School consider its place in Korea’s long quest for knowledge. It is a journey marked by tradition transformation. The school is not just a place of learning. It is a symbol of Korea’s unwavering commitment to education and its future.