Saturday School is Out in South Korea
[www.ntdtv.com 2012-04-20 02:16]
Walking to school on the weekend isn`t something most kids want to do. But until now, children in South Korea have had to do just that. This year, for the first time in 60 years, elementary school students can take a rest on Saturday.
Until last year classes ran every other Saturday, but for elementary students this year classes on the weekend have been completely abolished.
[Yungok Kim, Teacher, Daeshin Elementary Teacher]:
“The Korean education system is changing to encourage students to have a more balanced life. We need to prepare students for a changing world.”
It`s a welcome change, and teachers say Saturdays should be a break for students from a pressure-cooker education system where children are under pressure to compete and achieve high grades.
[Yungok Kim, Teacher, Daeshin Elementary Teacher]:
“Students….are getting so stressed out with pressure from their parents, teachers and classes.”
Most students are welcoming the chance to have a break.
[Doyung Park, Student, Daeshin Elementary School]:
“The good things are that I don’t need to wear a heavy backpack and I can sleep in and rest more.”
For many low-income families, both parents need to work on the weekends in order to make ends meet. When Mihee Kim first found out about no school on Saturday, she was worried.
[Mihee Kim, Parent]:
“…I didn’t think it was good. If my children don’t go to school, they’ll have nothing to do, they’ll feel bored, and I can’t afford to send them to a private institute.”
Luckily, many schools in low-income neighborhoods are taking the initiative to help these families. Daeshin Elementary School in Daejeon is providing a free sport and art program on Saturdays.
[Donghwan Yu, Student, Daeshin Elementary School]:
“My mother works on Saturdays. So I’m skating in school because there is no where else my sister and I can go.”
[Mihee Kim, Parent]:
“When I heard about the Saturday program, I was really happy. Because my children have no time to exercise usually, and I can’t organize it for them. But the school runs this exercise program. It’s really great. ”
With more time for family and fun these kids may reap the benefits of a more balanced education system.
NTD news, Daejeon, South Korea