South Korea is one of the leading countries in the world in terms of education. Every year, the country produces some of the most promising students and it has a long-standing reputation for its exceptional educational system. However, the question lies – just how many hours do Koreans go to school on a daily basis?
Is it true that Korean students remain in school for long hours? This article will discuss the lengths of the school days in Korean schools and the importance of this on Korean students in particular.
School Hours Around the World
The lengths of school hours differ across the world. For instance, in the United States, students typically spend 6-7 hours in school.
On the other hand, in countries like the Czech Republic, students have school for a total of 8-9 hours. However, when it comes to Korea, the length of school days is relatively longer. The average school day for Korean students is 11 hours, though it can range from 10-12 hours.
Apart from their regular school hours, fourth and fifth graders also have what is known as “after-school academies” or hagwons, in Korea. Hagwons usually begin at 2 or 3 pm and can go on till 8 or 9 pm.
In some cases, students are made to remain at hagwons till 11 pm or even midnight. The intensity of these hagwons is quite high and the working environment is often fast-paced and stressful.
The Impact of Long School Hours on Students in Korea
The frequent and long school hours have a number of impacts on the students in Korea. Firstly, the pressure of long classrooms can lead to physical exhaustion.
When students are inside the classroom for long hours, they may experience fatigue and a lack of energy, as they are subjected to physical inactivity during the entire day. Moreover, the long school hours can lead to mental exhaustion as well. When students are subjected to the same curriculum and the same topics for long periods of time, they may lose their motivation to learn and often succumb to depression.
It has been found that Korean students have one of the highest rates of depression in the world, and the long school hours are one of the main reasons behind this. In addition to this, the long school hours often lead to the neglect of personal interests and hobbies.
As students are unable to find the time to pursue their interests, they often become disconnected from the activities they enjoy and become more involved in their school studies. This can also lead to a lack of development in terms of physical and emotional health.
The Importance of School Hours in Korea
Despite the challenges posed by the long school hours in Korea, it must be noted that they are important for the overall development of Korean students. It is through long school hours that students are able to gain access to the best of educational materials and resources, which in turn helps them to achieve success in their academic goals.
Additionally, the longer school hours enable students to gain a more in-depth knowledge of the content they are studying. As students are exposed to the same material for a long time, their understanding of important topics is enhanced significantly. Furthermore, the extended lengths of the school days enable students to maintain discipline, as it discourages them from engaging in any negative activities during their stay in school.
Moreover, the insight provided by the longer school hours helps to develop the character of teenagers in Korea. Through the arduous yet consistent exposure to difficult academic activities and tasks, Korean teens are able to gain crucial skills such as resilience and excellence, which are essential for their academic growth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that the long school hours in Korea are quite essential in terms of providing students with the opportunity to gain a complete knowledge of their course materials. Moreover, the extended school hours are also important in teaching teenagers how to develop the right skills and attitudes which can help them to perform better in their studies and in their lives. Although the long school hours can be quite taxing and tiring, they are also essential in providing students with the right content, skills, and resources to excel and be successful.