Educational System in Korea

Educational System in Korea

( Linda D. Saab)

Dear Dr. Olga,

I am excited to be in our class because it’s  like having a splendored tour visiting from one country to other with generous classmates as flight steward sharing snacks. We are happy learning and without knowing  that it’s  already time for the next subject.

               I learned that in South Korea, they counted their age one year by the time the mother delivered the baby. At first I was surprised the unique way of counting age but then I came to realized that it is their culture and as human being we have to understand each other culture and belief to promote peace. Korean has a distinct  pride to be the first country in the world to provide high-speed internet access from every primary ,junior and high school. The school year is divided into two semesters .The first semester begins in March and ends July and for the second semester is in late august and ends in mid-July. For summer vacation is in  mid –July to late August. During the administration of Kim Dae-jung he considered education and Human Resource Management as a matter  of highest priority. The kindergarten up to college is in one  university belt. The advantage is easer to manage and monitor.  Unlike in the Philippines that  schools are separated from kindergarten, elementary ,high school and college  has its own building and place. Korean students are mostly serious in their studies. In Korea ,from kindergarten to high school grade levels is not determined on the knowledge , grades or passing any test but it is based purely upon the age of student. In our place, in principle we have  “ No read no pass policy”. If the elementary cannot read even if his age is already 15 , he is in elementary grade level. The educational system in Korea is compose of Kindergarten(3-7 yrs), elementary(8-14 Korean years),secondary or middle high school (15-16). Vocational high schools offer programs like agriculture, technology, engineering, business, maritime and home economics. Students who do not wish to go to college education are employed right after graduation

               I realized that  I have to respect the way they counted their age . Being in intact in one university belt symbolize unity and is easier to manage and monitor all the developmental activities for the improved performance. Kindergarten in Korea is also somewhat like in the Philippines wherein it is not publicly administered program so parents who can afford  sent their children to private schools . We have pre school  but government  provides only meager honorarium for teachers. I admire their educational system where in they offered vocational high school and could have a job after. In our system there are plenty of jobless graduates. There are many Koreans who came to the Philippines to be tutored by Filipinos maybe they have belief that Filipinos are good English speakers .

               As principal, I have to continue to learn other educational system and the different ethnologies to be able to understand better and respect the culture. I have also to do my part to improve the quality of education and promote the desirable  culture  in the school where I am assigned for the betterment of the community and to the society as a whole.