The Status of Education
Status of Education in South Korea
UN Secretary- General Global Education Initiative meeting
UN Secretary- General Global Education Initiative meeting
I would like to address the status of education in South Korea. Although, Korea was once a united Korea with the North, and has been creating tension between both countries, since the 1940’s. However, despite the tensions, South Korea has incorporated the three global education initiatives, 1. Put every child in school, 2. Improve the quality of learning, and 3. Foster global citizenship. In South Korea, there are various ways that the county approaches to meet the needs of the three goals.
The contemporary education today in South Korea is heavily influenced by Confucianism beliefs and values. Some believe that “East Asian Confucian culture has provided [South Korea] with high levels of social capital in the form of strong family structure and norms of frugality, hard work, and a high valuation of education “(Sorensen, 1994). Because South Koreans, believe that education is a vital fundamental part of their society, it would put every child in school. Although the views on education are different universally, but it is education is equally important. As part of putting every child in school, South Korea has a spearheaded a program called “Head Start”. This program “works with young students to improve language ability, cognitive ability, social and emotional stability so they can start elementary school” (Center on International Education Benchmarking, 2017). By starting the children off young despite their socioeconomic background, it will improve their literacy rates. Looking at figure 1, by putting every child in school, the literacy rates have increased since 1945 by 75.9%, which is now at a 97.9% literacy rate, in South Korea.
The contemporary education today in South Korea is heavily influenced by Confucianism beliefs and values. Some believe that “East Asian Confucian culture has provided [South Korea] with high levels of social capital in the form of strong family structure and norms of frugality, hard work, and a high valuation of education “(Sorensen, 1994). Because South Koreans, believe that education is a vital fundamental part of their society, it would put every child in school. Although the views on education are different universally, but it is education is equally important. As part of putting every child in school, South Korea has a spearheaded a program called “Head Start”. This program “works with young students to improve language ability, cognitive ability, social and emotional stability so they can start elementary school” (Center on International Education Benchmarking, 2017). By starting the children off young despite their socioeconomic background, it will improve their literacy rates. Looking at figure 1, by putting every child in school, the literacy rates have increased since 1945 by 75.9%, which is now at a 97.9% literacy rate, in South Korea.
Figure 1: Literacy Rates in South Korea
The literacy rates has increased since 1945 due to the emphasis of importance on education.
Source: http://sites.miis.edu/southkoreaeducation/diversity-and-access/
The literacy rates has increased since 1945 due to the emphasis of importance on education.
Source: http://sites.miis.edu/southkoreaeducation/diversity-and-access/
South Korea is also infamous for the rapid growth in economy due to the the quality of learning that the students are given. The country is the envy of many countries nation-wide. South Korea has is “heavily invested in education in 2010... spent 7.6% of its GDP on all levels of education” (ICEFmonitor, 2014). Due the high investment in education, it created the intense education for the South Koreans throughout all levels, which result in high test scores in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), referring to figure 2. With the tension that is between South and North Korea, there are North Koreans that escape to South Korea seeking prosperity. To help the refugees, “60% of the overall government budget in building learning centers invested in learning centers (Hanawon Centers) for [North Korean] refugees” (Wong, K). Not only is South Korea heavily funding education, but are creating policies to make education more affordable and accessible for students in the urban and rural areas of South Korea. The Korean ministry of education, science, and technology (MEST) "introduced a set of new policy initiatives aimed at closing the gap in student achievement between... advantaged and disadvantaged students" (National Center on Education the economy, 2017). Included in the policy initiatives, funding will be provided for the technology and meals fee. Looking at Figure 3, the Korean education system is set for the students. However, there are some who do not meet the needs like most students, the policy was set in place to have students that are at a disadvantage to have a chance at education.
Figure 2: Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) test scores.
The intensity of studying the the importance of education, South Korean students show their effort in the PISA test scores. Due to the intensity of studying, it could cause a lot of stress for the student. Source: https://www.weareteachers.com/south-koreas-school-success/ |
Figure 3: Korean Education System at a Glance
When the child is 3 years, the parents have the option of enrolling their child in headstart program. When the child is 6 years of age, it required that the students by in primary school, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Source: http://ncee.org/what-we-do/center-on-international-education-benchmarking/top-performing-countries/south-korea-overview/ |
Due to the importance of education that is embedded within the structure of society and family of South Korea, the value of education is fostering global citizenship. All the resources that the people and teachers are providing to improve the quality education cultivates their global citizenship. Some of the budgets that are being set aside for education goes into vocational schools that will allow students to study abroad. “South Korea being one of the major contributors to study abroad programs in the U.S the need for global learning” (Wong, K) increases the global citizenship. With a lot of jobs requiring degrees, it encourages the students to strive for diversity by study abroad.
With the amount of time and funds that are spent on education in South Korea, they are upholding the duties of providing education for every child, a quality education, and fostering global citizenship. Because of the UN initiatives, it also provides the groundwork to providing an inclusive education for all. More importantly, the country’s emphasis on the importance of getting an education, South Korea will create well-rounded students.
Works citied:
With the amount of time and funds that are spent on education in South Korea, they are upholding the duties of providing education for every child, a quality education, and fostering global citizenship. Because of the UN initiatives, it also provides the groundwork to providing an inclusive education for all. More importantly, the country’s emphasis on the importance of getting an education, South Korea will create well-rounded students.
Works citied:
- Center on International Education Benchmarking. (2017) South Korea Overview. Retrieved from http://ncee.org/what-we-do/center-on-international-education-benchmarking/top-performing-countries/south-korea-overview/
- Wong. K. (n.p). Education in South Korea: Diversity and access to education. Retrieved from http://sites.miis.edu/southkoreaeducation/diversity-and-access/
- Sorensen, C. (1994). Success and education in South Korea. Retrieved from http://faculty.washington.edu/sangok/education.PDF
- ICEFmonitor. (2014). High performance, high pressure in South Korea's education system. Retrieved from http://monitor.icef.com/2014/01/high-performance-high-pressure-in-south-koreas-education-system/
South Korea's Government System Newsletter
Economic System In south korea
The economic system in Korea is a high-tech industrialized country. South Korea has an mixed economic system with a variety of economic freedom such as an economic control system and government regulations. South Korea is a member of the Asia Pacific Trade agreement and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. The partnership with other plays a major role in the economic growth of South Korea.
The unemployment rate is currently at 4% from 3.6%, due to the slow economic growth. This percentage may not be high, but it effects thousand of the citizen in South Korea. This implies that South Korea economy is an industrialized state compared to other counties. In comparison to the United States unemployment rate, which is at 4.7%, this means that there more people that employed in South Korea. However, this does not mean that the United States is not industrialized enough, it means that there are more jobs that lost due to slow econmic growth. With the lack of jobs that are being created in South Korea, there are government assistance that can cover any of basic necessities that the unemployed individuals need.
Due to the unemployment rate, it caused the poverty rate to increased to for household of the age 34 and under to 12.2% and for households 65 and older to 63.8%. This is major concern for the health of the economic growth. Although South Korea is the 13th biggest economy, it implies that the country has an high percentage of the seniors who live in poverty. The more benefits that the individuals that currently living in poverty, it will increase the economic growth by helping them get back on their feet. In comparison to the United States, which is at 13.5% for all individuals, South Korea's economy is giving them less government assistance than what is needed, especially to the seniors of South Korea.
The current Labour Force Participation rate in South Korea increased to 62.20% from 61.20%. This means that are more people are working or looking for job rather than being unemployed. This means that the more people contribute to the economic growth, it will play major role in decreasing the poverty and unemployment rate in South Korea. In comparison to the United States, the Labour Force percent is at 63%. By having more people in South Korea, it will help the economy grow.
The GDP per capita is at $37,900 (USD). The amount of GPD has increased from 2015, which was at $25,022.80 (USD) in 2015. This implies that the average Korean living income as increase since then. This is a huge benefit for South Korea because it will continue to have South Korea's economy to grow and to lower the rates of poverty and unemployment.
The unemployment rate is currently at 4% from 3.6%, due to the slow economic growth. This percentage may not be high, but it effects thousand of the citizen in South Korea. This implies that South Korea economy is an industrialized state compared to other counties. In comparison to the United States unemployment rate, which is at 4.7%, this means that there more people that employed in South Korea. However, this does not mean that the United States is not industrialized enough, it means that there are more jobs that lost due to slow econmic growth. With the lack of jobs that are being created in South Korea, there are government assistance that can cover any of basic necessities that the unemployed individuals need.
Due to the unemployment rate, it caused the poverty rate to increased to for household of the age 34 and under to 12.2% and for households 65 and older to 63.8%. This is major concern for the health of the economic growth. Although South Korea is the 13th biggest economy, it implies that the country has an high percentage of the seniors who live in poverty. The more benefits that the individuals that currently living in poverty, it will increase the economic growth by helping them get back on their feet. In comparison to the United States, which is at 13.5% for all individuals, South Korea's economy is giving them less government assistance than what is needed, especially to the seniors of South Korea.
The current Labour Force Participation rate in South Korea increased to 62.20% from 61.20%. This means that are more people are working or looking for job rather than being unemployed. This means that the more people contribute to the economic growth, it will play major role in decreasing the poverty and unemployment rate in South Korea. In comparison to the United States, the Labour Force percent is at 63%. By having more people in South Korea, it will help the economy grow.
The GDP per capita is at $37,900 (USD). The amount of GPD has increased from 2015, which was at $25,022.80 (USD) in 2015. This implies that the average Korean living income as increase since then. This is a huge benefit for South Korea because it will continue to have South Korea's economy to grow and to lower the rates of poverty and unemployment.
What will be produced with your country's resources?South Korea is a leader in many industries, such as automobiles, technology, music and entertainment. South Korea is notorious for the production of Samsung technology products and Hyundai automobiles. In addition to the Samsung products, South Korea has agreed to a partnership with the Dreamworks Animation to produce 3-D television.
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Who will use these goodsAfter the production, these items will then be sold in stores. By having these items in stores, it will continue to help the economy. Also, the productions will then be traded with different countries and Nations. By doing this process, it is a contribution in helping the economy. This would be a way to have the unemployment and poverty rates to decrease and more importantly, increase more job opportunities.
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How will these goods be produced?
These products will be produced by trading technology circuits with other countries. A country that South Korea relies on for technology advancement is China. China and South Korea are two countries that have the biggest economic system. By having the connection and partnership with China, it will allow South Korea grow, continually.
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Will these goods be exported?The items that come from the companies, such as phones, cars, and laptops, they are exported to different countries. The main exported items of technology is to China and for the automobiles, is the United States. Hyundai is a very well know car that many Americans own and drive today.
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