fbpx
Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
19th Jan 2012

A new approach to education in South Korea

Despite international accolades for its education system, South Korea is moving away from the hallmarks of this system—such as memorisation, a reliance on private schools, and studying only to best compete for spots in prestigious universities. The South Korean government is in the midst of implementing reforms aimed at fostering creativity in learning as much as skills acquisition. In Education Week, Byong-man Ahn, the vice chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council on Education, Science, and Technology in South Korea (and former minister of education, science, and technology) notes that the reforms attempt to redress the problem of the learning model emphasising “[not] self-development based on personal interest or motivation, but in entrance into a highly ranked university.” He says that under the traditional education system, “students have no time to ponder the fundamental question of ‘What do I need to learn, and why?’" Mr. Ahn says the reforms emphasise:

  • Creativity over rote learning
  • Diversity over uniformity
  • Self-determined education over other-determined education

For details on the specific changes underway in South Korea, please check out Mr Ahn’s full commentary in Education Week. Source: Education Week

Most Recent

  • Sector and students shocked as US State Department says it will “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students” Read More
  • International student interest in US falls to pandemic-era low Read More
  • International schools segment registers impressive five-year growth numbers Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

Sector and students shocked as US State Department says it will “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students” On 28 May 2025, a late-afternoon statement from the US State Department came as the latest shock for...
Read more
International student interest in US falls to pandemic-era low After months of announcements, immigration enforcement actions, and confusion around US policies for international students – as well...
Read more
International schools segment registers impressive five-year growth numbers The international K-12 segment has continued its pattern of steady growth from January 2020 through January 2025. A...
Read more
Trump administration orders a pause on new student visa interviews Journalists at Politico have obtained a US State Department cable sent to all US diplomatic posts on 27...
Read more
Trump administration bars Harvard from enrolling international students; judge promptly issues restraining order to prevent the move Updated for 23 May 2025: The US government has suspended Harvard University’s ability to enrol foreign students, effective...
Read more
Plans afoot to stimulate UK–EU student mobility under new terms The UK government has opened negotiations with the European Union to restart a youth mobility scheme to and...
Read more
New Zealand enters peak visa processing window Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is circulating an advisory to let students and stakeholders know that the country “is...
Read more
US: Visa status of foreign graduates on OPT under renewed scrutiny More than 240,000 foreign graduates in the United States – or more than one in five current student visa...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links