![]() This event is critical in the life of South Korean families - entry to one of the three most prestigious “SKY” universities (Seoul National, Korea and Yonsei) will basically determine social status for most of their lives and will secure a highly-paid job in one of the chaebols (family-owned business conglomerates).Įducation at all levels and particularly in science and engineering, is viewed as a key to upward mobility in the still highly stratified Korean society. ![]() It emphasises high pressure and high performance, particularly for the 640,621 students who took the eight-hour long suneung (College Scholastic Ability Test) nationwide in November 2014. While Finland is considered a non-competitive system of education, South Korea’s is often described as very stressful, authoritarian, brutally competitive and meritocratic. This statement seems miles away from recent reports by education company Pearson and the OECD placing South Korea at the top of the education league tables. “To be a South Korean child ultimately is not about freedom, personal choice or happiness it is about production, performance and obedience,” argued Yale academic See-Wong Koo. Is the South Korean educational model replicable? This belief seems to increasingly resonate in the corridors of power in many parts of the educational world. The fact that American children “spend over a month less in school than children in South Korea” will, according to Obama, in “no way prepare them for a 21st-century economy”. Researchers from Stanford University say Asian children find motivation to succeed in parental expectations.Īustralian children with East Asian parents outperform their Australian peers, with researchers finding East Asian children spent 15 hours a week studying after school (9 hours for Australians), and have a stronger work ethic and higher aspirations (94% of them expect to go on to university).Įxperts and heads of state, from US President Barack Obama to former Australian prime minister, Julia Gillard, often cite Finnish schools or the “Asian Model” as the panacea to improve our education systems. Research has found the attitudes and strong beliefs of Asian parents make an important contribution to their children’s academic success. Why do South Korean students consistently dominate league tables?Īccording to global expert on education reform Sir Michael Barber, Korean culture “prizes effort above inherited ‘smartness’”, and believes long hours studying and hard work will eventually pay off. Students have a clear path and a clear purpose in mind at the start of their educational journey. Graduating from a top university is the ultimate marker of high status and the pressure is on from an early age.Ĭompetition and studying hard to be the best is deeply ingrained in the psyche of Korean students the entire environment surrounding the child (parents, family, and teachers) is actively involved and geared towards the same goal: to be test-ready and succeed. South Koreans view education as the main driver of social mobility, for themselves and their family. ![]() ![]() "Thank you to Stewart & Strauss for our fantastic school letterman jackets! Our students love them!" PUC Preparatory School.In Korea, perhaps more so than anywhere else, educational success equals socioeconomic status. "I've gotten so many compliments about my jacket on campus. Thank you for making a great jacket and for having superior customer service." John Kirby. "Upon retiring from the Army after 25 years of service I wanted to buy myself something that would commemorate that service - what better than a jacket from the Jacketshop! It's perfect and I receive compliments all the time on it. ![]()
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