Anyone living in Korea or intending to visit or stay for a long period of time should be aware of the Korean school-leaving age and what it means for educational attainment. Not only is it important to know the age when school legally ends, but also the implications of leaving school at that age.
This article will discuss the legislation around school-leaving age in Korea, the exemptions that may exist, and educational and employment prospects for those that leave school before or at the required age.
What is the Legal School-Leaving Age in Korea?
The legal school-leaving age in Korea is eighteen. All students must attend school to at least this age, as outlined in the Korean Education Law. This stipulation also applies to international visitors to the country, as stipulated in the Compulsory Education Act.
For students to be considered eligible for full graduation, they must attend school for at least six years of secondary education, or a total of twelve years of schooling. Exceptions to the legal requirement may exist for students enrolled in special educational institutions, but these must be authorized by the Korean Education Agency.
Further, exemptions are granted to students who have obtained special educational achievements, such as achieving high grades or playing musical instruments.
Educational Prospects for People That Leave School Before the Legal Age
For those that leave school before the legal age, there are options available to complete their education. Several private institutions offer courses to study for various educational qualifications. Furthermore, some universities offer classes to help those that have left school before the legal age gain access to higher education.
These universities may have special policies if a student has left school at an earlier age, and they can design a course of study unique to the student’s learning needs. It is also possible to gain access to an education through apprenticeships.
Private companies are sometimes willing to provide an apprenticeship as an alternative option to attending school. These opportunities may involve a student learning a trade and gaining experience in the workplace.
Employment Prospects for People That Leave School Before the Legal Age
Those who leave school before the legal age often face difficulty in finding employment. This is due to the lack of experience or qualifications that can make individuals unqualified for many roles. However, there are some organizations in Korea that provide job opportunities for those not enrolled in school.
These organizations can provide valuable job opportunities for individuals to gain experience or a skill set, even if they are not of school-leaving age. For those that left school before the legal age and don’t have experience or educational qualifications, they may still be able to gain work experience through internships.
Internships can allow the individual to gain experience in a professional environment and develop interpersonal and communication skills.
Impact of Leaving School Before the Legal Age in Korea
Leaving school before the legal age in Korea can have a significant impact. Those that do so may find it more difficult to enter post-secondary education, as they may need to obtain special educational qualifications or undergo additional courses in order to gain acceptance into a university or college. This can delay the educational progress of individuals, making it more difficult to gain employment in a desired field in the future.
Furthermore, many organizations in Korea expect employees to at least meet the legal school-leaving age and sometimes a higher educational attainment. These organizations may be less likely to consider a person for their job if the individual left school before the legal age, as they may lack the experience or qualifications necessary.
Conclusion
The legal school-leaving age in Korea is eighteen. Although there may be exceptions to this rule, it is important to note the implications of leaving school before this age. Individuals that do so may have difficulty in gaining employment and entering post-secondary education or an apprenticeship.
To ensure the best career prospects, individuals should work to meet the legal school-leaving age and gain an appropriate education or experience necessary for the job. However, for those that left school before this age, there may still be potential for finding employment or further education through internships or private institutions.