South Korea has a world famous education system, often ranking first in the world and sometimes tied with Finland. Their college graduation rates are the highest in the world (69%) and they have high ranks in their 10 and 14 year old’s overall international test scores in math, science and reading. Their education system pumps out smart and hard workers, which benefits the country’s workforce. South Korea’s economy has grown drastically in the past 70 years, and today, it has the 12th largest economy in the world despite being a small country about the size of Pennsylvania (Education In South Korea). The country is also very advance technologically, and has one of the highest internet penetration rates in the world. However, South Korea also has one of the largest suicide rates in the world, with suicide being the 4th most common cause of death in the country (Kwan). Why is that?
In South Korea, academics are literally the difference between life and death for students. Their education system is heavily focuses on academic excellence over anything else. Education is the key to social mobility, social importance, and power. Because of high expectations, students often fear of failing or disappointing their parents. There is also a lot of stress in the academic setting: it’s normally encouraged for students to study in school for 12-16 hours a day (Kwan). After school, 3/4 of South Korean students attend a night classes, and then return home to do homework (Education In South Korea). This often leads them with only a couple hours to sleep and have free time. Parents spend a large portion of their income to support their student’s education. Critics have said that their education system focuses too much on memorization and not enough on creativity and individual thought. There is also not enough time for athletics and hobbies. Personally, I have a few Korean friends who have attended school in America for a year or two. But when they went back to South Korea, our connection was lost simply due to the fact that they didn’t have any free time to talk. They spend most of their days studying and their breaks trying to catch up in school. This is not an easy schedule, especially for kids and teenagers. Although it is a great investment, it takes a toll on mental health in the present.
At the end of each semester of high school in Korea, students must take an exam called the Suneung (Kwan). This is one of the most important exams for students, and like the SAT, it will determine which university/career the student will have. Unlike the SAT however, it is only offered once a year. If a senior were to miss the opportunity to take it, or if they didn’t get a good score, then they would likely have to redo their senior year. This is similar to the college entrance exams in China. The test also lasts roughly 8 hours and contains all subject matters. Because of the importance of this exam, there is a lot of competition. Their goal (or usually their parent’s) is to attend a SKY university, which stands of Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University. These are the top three schools in South Korea, sometimes known as the “Harvard” of Korea, and they are highly competitive to get in. Graduates of these three universities occupy the nation’s highest positions. Suicide rates due to the stress of getting into these schools have even lead the government to ease the the college’s admission tests. Although, statistics have shown that even after entering one of these top colleges, many people commit suicide due to the pressure of staying there.
Although there are many other factors that contribute to such high student suicide rates, such as the stress of not being able to find a future job, the education system is one of the largest issues. Part of this is also due to the fact that the government doesn’t supply much money toward improving the mental health of its citizens. South Korea does produce highly intelligent students that have benefited the nation’s economy, but also very depressed ones. And once the students are depressed, there aren’t enough resources in the country to help them. This is a huge, and tragic issue that the government needs to work more on reforming.
Citations:
Kwan, Ling. “Depressed South Korean Student Reveals Why He Wants to Commit Suicide.” WORLD OF BUZZ, 12 June 2017, www.worldofbuzz.com/depressed-south-korean-student-reveals-wants-commit-suicide/.
“Education in South Korea.” WENR, 18 Dec. 2018, wenr.wes.org/2018/10/education-in-south-korea.
Wow, I never knew that South Korea’s education was the high. That was interesting things to know. But I have heard before how harsh it is on the students from there parents and that it leads to suicide or self harm. It is so crazy because America is not like that, education is not that pressed. You can be successful without a degree.