In this last part, I close the discussion on Education in Korea . I have discussed so far the history of education in the northern part of the country and the principles on which it sits.
Now I want to do a review of what would be the educational life of a North Korean media. To tell, and knowing that this article will precede 4 long exposures, I do partly in narrative form. The heroine of this fiction is a girl Call Kim Mi Hyang.
4 - Early years: the pre-school age.
The protagonist of our story, the girl Kim Mi Hyang, born in February 1981. February is a very cold in Korea, with temperatures below freezing in most areas of the northern part of the peninsula. Specifically, Kim Mi Hyang sees the light in a village in the northeast, near the border with China: Hoeryong.
Hoeryong City was founded in the fifteenth century, as one of six defensive positions the ancient kingdom of Koryo established on its borders. At the time of birth Hyang Mi Kim, the former Hoeryong nothing left. Hoeryong is now a modern mining and industrial city, specializing in the production of paper. The Hoeryong Maternity Hospital is located at the foot of the hill Osan, so from the large windows of the rooms you can see spectacular views. For the mother, the placement lasts 7 days, at a cost equivalent to full salary
two months. However, she, like everyone in the country, medical care is given completely free, without exception.
Hyang's mother is from the time of birth the small 150 days of maternity leave. During this period, Kim Yong Mi will keep your salary and you are sure you can return to work when his term ends low. However, parents have long Hyang thinking of moving to the country's capital, Pyongyang. Bak, Hyang's father is assistant transportation engineer, specializing in railways. His work forces him to live between the capital and Hoeryong. I, meanwhile, is assistant engineer in the electricity sector. Rather than return to her job, has requested a license for a year to study at Kim Chaek University of Technology in Pyongyang. After completing the course, will be promoted to the rank of engineer. Although still not been answered, chances are that the answer is yes, because in October last year, the Korean Workers' Party adopted the aim of intellectualizing the whole society. This means that adults have great facilities for the study.
Over the next three months, Hyang lacks nothing. Is continuous checkups and his mother has time to deal with it. Food, clothing and housing are subsidized, so a family member is not an economic burden. However, I can not wait to know what happens to transfer to Pyongyang. It goes to the office of citizen services of Hoeryong. Under Article 69 of the Korean Constitution, "The citizen can file a complaint or petition. The State must ensure that complaints and requests are reviewed and responded fairly as provided by law. "My very aware of this and know that officials can address issues of bureaucratic form, but must take responsibility for the problems of people and give them comprehensive, looking for every human form One of the problems. The official says he is in it, but it takes time because you have to coordinate many aspects: finding a new home, the Kim Chaek University accepts the registration of Me, that the company
My search for a replacement, ... However, a few days after visiting the office, the family receives the news: approving the transfer. The new residence will be in the neighborhood of Moranbong Pyongyang with the option of moving to new neighborhoods or Kuangbok Munsu, upon termination of its construction. The move was made in August, but not difficult to transport problems and the winding roads between the eastern and Pyongyang.
In September, I began the course at the University Kim Chaek. In the same way that she goes to a University course for specialist workers, 85 factory complexes have their own colleges. Many workers also opt for evening classes or correspondence. In any case, returning to Me, your daughter needs to stay in a nursery near the university. Across the country there are scattered houses 27'795 cribs at that time. Thus, 936'000 niños en edad prescolar acceden a casas cuna. Mi puede elegir dónde le viene mejor que esté internada su hija: cerca de su lugar de trabajo, cerca de su lugar de residencia,...
En septiembre, Hyang aún solo tiene seís meses. Para los menores de siete meses, la casa cuna ofrece cuidados variados. A partir de los siete meses, en la casa cuna se esfuerzan por destetarlos y a partir del año y medio se les enseña a tomar alimentos variados. Una vez los niños alcanzan los tres años, comienzan a recibir educación pre-guardería. Cada casa cuna tiene un tamaño adecuado al número de alumnos admitidos y están bien equipadas. Esto contrasta con la situación antes de la Revolución, as in Korea there were no houses or nursery crib.
In 1985, his term ends Hyang nursery and go to the nursery, where he received two years of pre-school education. The country gives preschool children in daycare to 720'000. As nurseries, Nursery are virtually everywhere. In the neighborhood Moranbong, where the family lives, opened three years after the Nursery "Kim Jong Suk" in semi-boarding system.
The nursery would have been perfect for the family, as the semi-boarding scheme had been very flexible for Me. In the semi-boarding system, parents can pick up their children at any time. They may even let you sleep in the nursery.
This model of care is designed specifically for parents who travel frequently, such as Bak.
In fact, there are three models of nursery and kindergarten. The first model is the daily childcare, where parents pick up their children each day. The second model is the third weekly and monthly. Both the second and the third are semi-boarding school.
The creation of the huge network of nurseries and childcare in Korea had a strong character to free the mother of housework. Therefore, the first kindergarten in U.S. history was called "8 March. "
The nursery "Kim Jong Suk", meanwhile, has the name of a guerrilla from precisely the city of Hoeryong. For a difference of three years, Hyang could not get in this nursery. However, no substantial differences in quality among the country's kindergartens 37'000. Hyang
agreed, finally, to the nursery "Changgwang" not far from the river Pottong. One of the key aspects of the center's preschool care. Free, Hyang was vaccinated. All nurseries and kindergartens are equipped with medical facilities to date. Hyang and her colleagues have spacious outdoor areas for play and physical development.
gaming devices are also used to make that small, while gymnastics. On the other hand, in nurseries and kindergartens, it is encouraging the development of noble moral qualities and good manners. A Korean saying states that "an acquired habit three years, lasted until the eighties." Therefore, since its entry into the home cradle, Hyang is taught to respect their peers, to provide the best things to others rather than to arrogate to itself, to take care of toys, tables, chairs. .. etc.
In pre-school learning Hyang to pick up a pencil, write and read simple sentences, count and do simple arithmetic, singing, dancing and even playing instruments. His nursery has about 300 stuffed animals, so from small, Hyang learn by seeing and touching herself.
In support of learning, there are radio programs specifically for children, all children in the Nursery
Kim Jong Suk, during our morning visit in 2008, serving for nurseries across the country. In addition, this journal Kotbong-ori, aimed at children in preschool. In 2007, improved the curriculum of childcare, improving learning the Korean language and counting. But that I live a generation of post-Hyang.
Academic All this attention is complemented by measures to provide childcare of the best facilities possible and adequate food. In the construction of new neighborhoods, such as those experienced in Pyongyang during the 80's, took precedence of crèches and nurseries to other centers. True, in any case, it was not always this way and that is after 60 when he gives a big boost to the construction of an extensive network of pre-school. On the other hand, every care is assigned a farm that provides fresh produce every day, such as milk, yogurt, rice ... For all this, there is a saying in Korea that are the only republic with a king: all the country children are kings. All your needs are met.
5 - The years of first and secondary
Hyang entering school in 1987, with 6 years. Ahead has 11 years of compulsory education. His new school is the school number on Pottonggang district, near his old daycare.
Your school is equipped with a library with 100,000 books, laboratories, swimming pool and a room equipped with the structure of a car, to teach students about the practice itself. The school has a reputation for high level in mathematics and in the hallways there are several portraits of students in the past won the International Mathematics Olympiad. Also
Kim Ki Nam and Kwan Ho Hyok, school alumni who are now renowned scientists in Korea.
Since 1956, 100% of school-age students enrolled in primary education. Since 1958, the school also. Hyang School is one among more than 4792's in the country.
From Year to Hyang make you think for itself. Their teachers are usually split into pairs to prepare a reasoned response and group classes are based on what the Korean teachers call a heuristic. Often introduce audiovisual material from high school and practices will become more frequent.
In 1989, when Hyang attends third grade, followed by several important events. On the one hand, Hyang's best friend, San, change of school. Both Hyang and San are now specialized in playing the violin since a young age, all Korean children learn to play at least one instrument. But San plays the violin with great talent, and it is accepted at the school Manjong of Pyongyang, which specializes in music.
At primary level, Hyang favorite subject in any case, it was Science. Aside from this, and Music, Hyang was, inter alia, Drawing, Mathematics, Korean Language, Forestry, Crafts and Sports. In secondary education will become more technical and Statue of a pioneer, into an ideological institute, with subjects like Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Foreign Languages, History of the Revolution, History, ... But there are still a few years for high school and many things will change in Korea then.
For now, summer of 1989, everything changes. The city is decked out and begin walking the streets young people around the world. Is the XIII World Festival of Youth and Students, the first held in a country Asia. Hyang, along with hundreds of thousands of youth in the country, came to see the parades and festival events.
If a name is repeated during those days is the Rim His Kiong.
Hyang, of that, can not understand what he had done to deserve this young title heroine. In fact, many women have received this name in Korea. Kim Jong Suk, for example, had led a mostly female battalion during the war against Japan. It is therefore known as a hero of independence. Lie Gye San, a poor farmer, was the heroine of the literacy campaign. And now Rim His Kiong is the heroine of the Reunification. Later Kiong is understood that the most important representative of the student union in South Korea and has gone to Pyongyang in secret, knowing that you wait your turn Seoul jails. Rim His Kiong up with thousands of young people to the border at Festival Pammunjon. When crossing the border, and in front of cameras around the world, American soldiers pounced on her and put into a helicopter. Their destination is the cold, gray interrogation room of the sinister secret police South Korea in Seoul.
Finally, throughout the Festival was organized locally by the League of Socialist Working Youth, part of the World Federation Democratic Youth. The League, in Korea, not only organizes festivals. In fact, this is only a secondary part of its activity. The Youth League is a huge organization they belong to well over half the young people of Korea. It has presence in factories, schools, universities and in the military. Is organized through the basic cell, intermediate committees and a central committee. Every five years there is a Congress. The choice of the responsible bodies and is fully democratic, through democratic centralism. This educates small to Koreans in the collective work, accountability and responsibility.
With 8 years, Hyang not yet a member of the Youth League, but the Korean Children's Union, the section of pioneers. Also his friend San and most boys and girls in her class.
If the year had begun with the bitter taste of goodbye to his friend St., 1989 to May Day Stadium, during the XIII Festival Rim His Kiong has a climate of uncertainty. The wall has fallen, do not talk about something else. Everyone has a clear idea that the revolution is still alive in Korea. Gorbachev while he openly describes as the "Judas of the twentieth century," Rodong Sinmun, the largest newspaper says that in a country self-sufficient DPR Korea as there is no danger of infection, after the collapse of the socialist camp. But there is some concern, behind the official optimism.
One of the measures taken after 1990, is to increase political and ideological content.
Above all, it seeks to prevent young people, future successors of the revolution, are not prepared to face the considerable challenges that Korea faces in the 90's.
In any case, there was never really a relaxation on ideology in Korea.
Hyang, since his daycare, had heard the name of Kim Il Sung, but then in the form of stories to exemplify. Pero el estudio sistemático de ciencias sociales, con la política y las obras y el pensamiento del “Gran Líder” (como se le conoce en Corea del Norte) como centro, comienza a partir de la secundaria.
Entre 1991 y 1994, el país aguanta la embestida del bloqueo económico, tras el fin del comercio socialista. Los coches prácticamente desaparecen de las carreteras, así como numerosos servicios dependientes de los hidrocarburos. Pero para Hyang, la vida sigue siendo relativamente fácil. La austeridad decretada por el gobierno excluye en todo momento los servicios sociales, por lo que su escuela se mantuvo en las condiciones habituales. También siguieron abiertas las piscinas públicas, los parques juveniles and even some weekends, the Mangyongdae Amusement Park.
But, especially, to the delight of Hyang, held open the Palaces of Children and Students. In total, more than 60 spread across the country. Are huge centers for extracurricular activities. Children can go free to play sports, languages, art, music, ... Hyang regularly goes to the Palace of Children and Students Mangyongdae, on the outskirts of the capital and the largest in the country. At one time, 5000 children may be offering different kinds of activities inside. Even in difficult times, these centers continued open to the "kings of the country."
If a year in which everything truly turned to the North Koreans, that was 1994, the beginning of the darkest era in the history of North Korea. On July 8, Hyang go like any other day at school. His teacher has red eyes and spends several minutes in silence. Finally Speak: Kim Il Sung died. Immediately after, bursting mourn. The same scene is repeated in many parts of the country. The streets are flooded with workers, students, retirees, men and women, everyone wants to give the last farewell to the legendary guerrilla. Trains and buses packed with people coming from all over the country. No trace of North Korean usual optimism.
This is the first of a long chain of calamities affecting the country. Hyang is then 13 years. In the next three years, floods ravage the countryside, while the U.S. tightens the economic blockade.
This time, the crisis is palpable at all levels. Most days, the school operates without electricity. Students must attend class with her coat on, because there is no heating. Outside, the temperature drops to 10 degrees below zero. Inside the country, temperatures are even lower.
A classmate of Hyang, Lee, is sponsored by the State. His parents, given the deterioration of living conditions, have migrated to China. Lee, a few years later, eventually explaining that her parents had "low ideological consciousness" to tackle the situation. His parents were not the only ones suffer "low ideological consciousness" during this period. The crisis is brutal, and the Party calls on all people who work as unsung heroes: the heroic just to survive day to day, showing a high spirit of socialist competition, will bring Korea to the crisis.
The first is an example of revolutionary leadership. The ministeriores work without electricity and have to come down daily to collect water from public sources. Kim Jong Il, the country's new leader, also decided to set an example and advertise that media has been reduced to two daily meals.
At home, Hyang also only two meals a day. The situation is so complicated that in February, the day of her birthday, her mother prepared a huge serving of food. When you give it, both are cast to mourn.
But not all is sad in the country. In 1995, Hyang entered into a solemn ceremony at the League of Socialist Working Youth. Through it, Hyang is an intensely political life over the years. The meetings are frequent and the activity too. Cell Hyang class decided to work on repairing the school after classes. Thousands of young people across the country to take similar initiatives.
Before the crisis, every effort is low and the Youth League makes every effort Poster Socialist Youth League to contribute to the "Kim Il Sung nation's recovery. Such contributions, besides being useful, create political awareness among those involved in them.
In 1996, 50 anniversary of the founding of the League, it changed its name to honor its founder Kim Il Sung. The League will now be called Socialist Youth League "Kim Il Sung." Two years then Hyang exceeds the entrance exam to university. That year, the economic situation begins to improve in Korea.
6 - Kim Chaek University
With a dedicated father and a mother railway engineer specializing in the electrical industry, Hyang seemed destined to end up studying at a university of technology. In Korea, the engineering schools are grouped into universities of technology.
Among them, the most notable being the Kim Chaek University in Pyongyang. Kim Chaek was one of the great revolutionaries Koreans. He led a guerrilla column in the struggle for independence against Japan and was the first Minister of Defence of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim Chaek
died in a bombing in the war against the United States in 1951. In his honor, the first university of technology in the country bearing his name and a city on the east coast. Hyang access the power of the electrical industry. In Korea, women equal access with men to leadership positions in industry and, in fact, the energy ministry is currently headed by a woman. However, before entering college, Hyang is vital to make a choice: join or not the Popular Army.
In Korea, military service is compulsory for men and voluntary for women. Why not stop women from joining the military body. The period of service is very broad: 5 years. The army serves many more functions in Korea than in a capitalist country. In Korea, soldiers not only handle weapons, but perform construction work and serve the population. Have a duty to safeguard the gains of socialism in the country and is a very ideological body.
The Popular Army is not understood in the classic sense of hierarchy and despotism that has
West (1). Hyang, as a woman, you can choose not to enter the People's Army
. And like all Korean, in case you want to do, has the ability to access the military institution before or after college. Hyang want to join right then and until 2003 will remain in the institution.
In Korean universities, it is very clear the difference between those who make their college experience after spending the People's Army and those from high school.
is not only a question of maturity, giving the years, but the spirit of conscious discipline, camaraderie and dedication with which the majority of soldiers leave after their experience.
In 1998, in which Hyang enters the People's Army is not only the first year in which Korea begins to recover economically. It is also the 50 anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People's Republic and the year in which Korea surprised the world by sending a satellite into space. National pride is palpable in the streets and a spirit of improvement begins to emerge. Hyang
When he graduated in late 2002, the country still in recovery. In the months before finally entering the university, Hyang volunteers at a youth brigade of the Youth League clash. These brigades contribute to construction giant through volunteer work. Highways, waterworks, tunnels, ... have been renamed with the name of "juvenile" or "heroic youth", to highlight the fact that were built with the sweat of the Korean youth volunteer.
In 2003, Hyang finally admitted to college. Kim Chaek University has modern facilities, numerous laboratories, practice rooms and a library with 100,000 books. In 2006 the new library is completed, called e-library, because it maximizes the possibility of the web. Classes can follow through any computer in the country, both live and on tape delay. Teachers answer questions after class.
In total, 21 million copies are freely available to students and anyone the country. Many of the books are imported and there are many teams of translators to move the text into Korean. Hyang only knows the new e-library in its final year.
However, learning in previous years has been very successful: more than half of the classes have been practical, encouraging experimentation own Hyang, teachers remain a certain number of hours in college, so that students can do all sorts of inquiries, etc. In addition, the university has a sports center, including basketball courts, volleyball, soccer and swimming pool.
The final year, combined with Hyang real practical work on a new power plant, among the many that were built during this period in North Korea.
Upon graduating from college in 2007, Hyang becomes a
2'100'000 among people with higher education in the country. In 1945, when the country's liberation, only had 9 people with higher education. If then there was no university in the country, now there are about 300 universities and over 500 specialized universities.
This is undoubtedly proof of the enormous effort that exists in Korea by providing people with sufficient technical knowledge and ideological consciousness necessary to transform nature and society, the central aim of communism in the way they understand. Thanks to that, Hyang, and many people like her, have and have had the opportunity to study within one of the most advanced educational systems in the world. Thus, human capital is one of the main resources that Korean socialism has, more powerful than any nuclear weapon.
Juan Nogueira López
1 "The power of a revolutionary army is in its political and ideological superiority. [...] Our party leads the revolution and construction by address collective committees at all levels. [..] In the People's Army should also make their respective Party committees to discuss and decide everything collectively. [...] As for the military ranks, there are differences between high and low, but life can not be partisan if any, everyone should take part in it with equal rights and duties. [...] If a person does not receive the necessary education and control, inevitably degenerate. [...] [Why] should promote democracy highly [and critique] (Kim Jong Il, "To raise the role of party organizations and other political organs of the People's Army)
The fifth part is the last article "Education in DPR Korea", by Juan Nogueira.
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