“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”

The above is a saying believed to have been said by Confucius. It highlights both the contemporary and modern emphasis East Asians have always put into education. Today, South Korea especially has some of the most rigorous and awe-inducing education systems, which have become famous, and infamous throughout the world for its strict features. Let us trace the system of South Korean education from its roots, to its current successes.

1. History of Korean Education

The origins of formal education in Korea can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE – 668 CE), where Confucianism, and Buddhist practices, with humanities and martial arts were taught extensively.

The Samguk Yusa, (삼국유사) or the Tale of the Three Kingdoms is an anecdote which consisted many topics about history, philosophy, medicine and religion. Since the Three Kingdoms period was a time of the Chinese’ Han Dynasty influence, the Book of Han, the proto-constitution of the Han Dynasty was also studied in Korea.

During the Goryeo Dynasty (918 – 1392), state-run schools called Gukjagam (국자감) and private Confucian academies known as Seowon (서원) were established, focusing primarily on the study of Confucian texts, Chinese and the state ideology. This system is similar to the Indian gurukul (गुरुकुल) system, or the madrasa (مدرسہ) system, where a teacher would recite to the students important religious texts, to write.

Around this time, the rigorous civil service examination system, Gwageo (과거) was introduced. The exam determined entry into government service, emphasizing memorization and interpretation of Confucian classics. This is similar to the Indian Administration Services exam, or the UPSC exam.

With the advent of the Joseon Dynasty (1392 – 1910) on October 9th 1446, King Sejong the Great and his ministers developed the Hangul (한글) writing system with which literacy skyrocketed. According to recent censuses, Korean literacy stands at at 99%. At first, Hangul was solely used for the study of Chinese literature, but it soon gained nationwide popularity until the 1950s where after the Korean War, Hangul was made the sole writing script, replacing Hanja characters (한자) in both North and South Korea.

The Japanese occupation of Korea in the 20th century, brought substantial changes to the educational landscape. The colonial government imposed a centralized system modeled after Japanese schools, aiming to assimilate Koreans into Japanese culture, with the imposition of Japanese as the national language. Education during this period was highly stratified, with limited opportunities for Koreans, especially beyond the elementary level.

Following Korea’s liberation in 1945, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) embarked on rebuilding its education system, with emphasis on academia and vocation. After the Han River Miracle, education became highly sought after, as a way to overcome poverty.

2. Modern Education System

Today, the Korean education system is highly structured and centralized, overseen by the Korean Ministry of Education, like the Indian Central Board of Secondary Education. Both private and public schools ought to receive a certain amount of government funding.

It follows a 6-3-3-4 system: six years of elementary school, three years of middle school, three years of high school, and four years of university education.

Any usage of mobile phones during class is prohibited, and corporal punishment is prohibited as well, similar to the situation in India. A system of teachers moving around classes is also seen, rather than students going to said classes.

2.1 Elementary Education (Grades 1-6)

Elementary education is compulsory and focuses on basic literacy, numeracy, and social skills. The curriculum includes subjects such as Korean language, mathematics, science, social studies, value education or moral education, physical education, and arts. Students from seven years to twelve years attend elementary school.

2.2 Middle School (Grades 7-9)

Middle school education is also compulsory. The curriculum becomes more diversified, including subjects like English, history, geography, and moral education, in addition to core subjects from elementary education.

Students from twelve years to fifteen years attend middle school.

2.3 High School (Grades 10-12)

High school education is not compulsory but is highly attended, similar to India. Students can choose between general academic high schools and vocational high schools. This is also where specialized private schools, like International or Science, or Performance Arts High Schools come in, with high fees and tough entrances.

With the Korean pop industry supplying idols of minor ages, “K-pop High Schools” like the Hanlim Multi-Arts School, have gained popularity amongst K-pop companies.

High School curriculum is more specialized, and the grading system is infamously difficult. Students often prepare intensively for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT or the 수능), which plays a crucial role in university admissions.

This may be seen tantamount to the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), the Board Examination (XII), the IIT-JEE or the NEET, in an Indian context.

Excellence in the CSAT ensures admission to one of the top SKY universities of Korea. The prestige Seoul National University, Korea University and the Yonsei University secure a high-paying job in the Chaebols (채볼) or family-owned businesses of Korea, (ex- Samsung, Hyundai or LG) for their students.

Students usually start 10th grade at fifteen and graduate around seventeen or eighteen years of age in international age.

2.3.1 High School Curricula

South Korea places a strong emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, like any Asian country, India included. Each student in 10th grade studies the following subjects: 

10th Grade Subjects:

1. Korean Language
2. Math-1, or Math-2
3. English
4. Integrated Social Studies
5. Integrated Science
6. Korean History
7. Ethics
8. Art and Music
9. Physical Education

But similar to India, there is a system of streams in Korea. In Korea, the first grade of high school or 10th grade, has no stream divide but it is introduced in 11th grade. All subjects are compulsory for studying. Mathematics, Korean, English and Korean History are required subjects even after stream striations.

Common Electives:

1. Mathematics
2. Philosophy
3. Logic
4. Psychology
5. Hanja
6. Languages (Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, French, German, Russian, et cetera)
7. Theater
8. Classics (Reading and Literature)
9. And any other offered subject can be supplemented in addition to the main subjects.

Igwa (이과)

It is equivalent to the Science stream in India. A student has more emphasis on mathematics and the sciences, with some extra electives which may not be a science subject. Students usually juggle 5-7 subjects.

Exclusive Subjects:

1. Mathematics (Calculus, Algebra, Geometry, Probability, Statistics)
2. Physics
3. Chemistry
4. Biology
5. Earth Sciences

Mungwa (문과)

It is equivalent to the humanities or commerce streams where a student learns more about social studies, language, etc. Aspiring lawyers, civil servants, economists, etc, attend mungwa. Students usually juggle 5-7 subjects.

Exclusive Subjects:

1. Mathematics (Probability, Statistics, Economics Math, Geometry, Calculus, Algebra)
2. World History
3. Geography
4. Economics
5. Political Science and Law
6. Society and Culture
7. Ethics and Ideas

2.4 System of Hagwons

Indians are extremely aware of the tuition or coaching system of education, especially with edu-tech industries springing up in India.

Hagwons (학원) are basically a more capitalistic, and stressful versions of our coaching centers, where students usually go to after school, and then cram or study until the nighttime.

A culture of nighttime studies (야자) is also common where students return at 12 AM from Hagwons and then start studying again after freshening up, and then sleep.

2.5 Suneung Examination

The 대학수학능력시험, or 수능 (CSAT or the College Scholastic Ability Test) is the infamous college entrance exam, each South Korean student regardless of their stream has to go through. It is tantamount to the Board Examinations, when we look at the dates on which they are held; as soon as they graduate.

The syllabus is around this format, and students give these exams on the same day in chronological order:

1. Korean Language
2. Mathematics
3. English
4. Korean History
5. Subject-1
6. Subject-2
7. Foreign Language or Classical Chinese

All social life completely comes to halt when the Suneung is being conducted. No honks, or car horns are sounded, and no one even shouts or talks too loudly on the streets.

This concludes one’s transition to adulthood and college, and many Korean parents believe that after giving the Suneung, one can enjoy their life to the fullest, but never before it. Hence the Korean Education System, systemically and socially roots out all childhood fun and innocence.

Author: Shantanu Dayal Sharan 

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