In a society where education is deeply connected to personal success and national progress, how a country sets its education policies matters greatly. In South Korea, education has long been a top priority — but also a topic of frequent political debate and constant change. To bring greater consistency, vision, and fairness to the nation’s education system, the National Education Committee (NEC) was established. This new, independent body is now at the center of Korea’s efforts to create long-term, future-oriented education policies that can serve students, teachers, and society more effective
What Is an Earthquake?An earthquake happens when the ground suddenly shakes. This shaking is caused by movements inside the Earth. The Earth’s surface is made of large pieces of rock called tectonic plates. These plates are always moving, but very slowly. Sometimes, the plates push against each other and get stuck. Over time, a lot of energy builds up. When the plates finally move, the energy is released as an earthquake. The ground can shake a little or a lot — depending on how much energy is released. How Do We Measure Earthquakes?Scientists use a tool called a seismograph to measure earthqu
Discovering Yourself: The Free Semester System in Korea Imagine going to school for a whole semester with no pressure from big exams. Sounds exciting, right? That’s exactly what Korea’s 자유학기제, or Free Semester System, is all about. Since 2016, this system has been offered in middle schools across the country. But why was it introduced? And what do students really think about it? Let’s take a closer look. What Is the Free Semester System?The Free Semester System allows middle school students to spend one semester focusing on exploring their interests, talents, and dreams — without worrying abou
Speed Reading: Is It Effective, and Can We Train for It?Smart reading for smarter learning In an age of information overload — school textbooks, online articles, and endless notes — many students and parents wonder: Wouldn’t it be great to read faster without losing understanding? That’s where speed reading comes in. But is speed reading truly effective? Can it help students improve test performance and learning efficiency? The answer is: yes — if done right. ⚡ What Is Speed Reading?Speed reading is the skill of reading faster while still understanding and remembering what you read. While the
In our rapidly changing world, fairness and respect are values that matter more than ever. As young people grow up in a society filled with diverse identities, it is important that they are taught not just how to study, but how to understand and care about those around them. One of the key lessons that should be part of every student's learning journey is gender sensitivity. In Korean, this is called 성인지 감수성, which means the ability to recognize, understand, and respond respectfully to gender differences and inequalities. Teaching gender sensitivity in schools is not just helpful — it is essen
Education is often described as the foundation of a nation’s future, and teachers are at the center of that foundation. In South Korea, a country known for its strong emphasis on education and academic achievement, teachers have traditionally held a respected position in society. However, recent incidents involving verbal abuse, threats, and even physical violence by parents toward teachers have raised deep concerns across the country. As cases of parent-led violence increase, many educators and citizens are beginning to ask: what is happening to the relationship between schools, parents, and
These days, many people say that students should study coding in school. They think coding is important for the future. However, I do not agree with this idea. I believe that not all students need to study coding, and there are better ways to use school time. First, coding is not useful for everyone. Of course, some students may want to become programmers, but most students will choose other jobs. For example, if a student wants to be a teacher, a doctor, or an artist, they do not need to know how to code. For these students, spending too much time on coding is not very helpful. Second, school