HIGH SCHOOL(SMA) IN SOUTH KOREA
High schools in South Korea teach students from first grade (age 16) to third grade (age 18), and students commonly graduate at age 18. High schools in Korea can be divided into specialty tracks that accord with a student's interest and career path. For example, there are science (Science high school), foreign language and art specialty high schools to which students can attend with prior entrance examinations, which are generally highly competitive. Other type of high schools include public high schools and private high schools, both with or without entrance examinations. These high schools do not report to specialize in a field, but are more focused on sending their students to college. For students who do not wish a college education, they can study at vocational schools specializing in fields such as technology, agriculture or finance are available, in which the students are employed right after graduation. Around 30% of high school students are in vocational high schools. On noting the schedule of many high school students, it is not abnormal for them to arrive home at midnight, after intensive "self-study" at school. But this sessions supported by the school. The curriculum is often noted as rigorous, with as many as 11 or so subjects and most of the students choose to attend private academies called 학원 (學院, pronounced hagwons) to boost their academic performance. Core subjects include Korean, English and Math, with adequate emphasis on social and physical science subjects. It is critical to note that the type and level of subjects may differ from school to school, depending on the degree of selectivity and specialization of the school.
Korean education certainly has its strong points as its fifteen year olds produce outstanding results in the area of mathematics and are the world's most literate bunch. However, South Korean high schools are insufficiently preparing students for an often learner centered with creative system of education, that often necessitates students to be self-motivated, at universities in and out of Korea. NeverthNNeless, Koreans often make the plea that Korean education is fine at all levels. In essence, they argue that their education is world class and that their high schools are superb, for a while they use (PISA) Program for International Student Assessment 2006 results to support their case.
