Have you ever wondered what high school students in the world’s most isolated nation are taught? Curious about how education is conducted in a place shrouded in secrecy?
Here, we delve deep into the mandatory curriculum of North Korean high school students, uncovering every detail. But before diving into the specifics, let’s set the stage with a brief overview of North Korea’s unique educational philosophy.
- North Korean high school education is designed around a centrally controlled curriculum that prioritizes ideological indoctrination and practical skills development.
- The educational system is meticulously planned to meet the state’s needs for producing ideologically loyal and technically capable individuals.
- This philosophy is guided by the overarching principle that education must serve the Party's goals and align with revolutionary practice, as emphasized by the Great Leader's directives.
- The high school curriculum reflects a strong focus on political education, practical technical training, and military preparedness, combined with conventional academic subjects.
Ready? Let’s take a closer look at what a high school education in North Korea truly entails!
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| North Korean High School Mandatary Courses |
North Korea's High School Curriculum Plan
1) Educational System
The high school program is a three-year system. It accepts students who have completed three years of middle school education at the age of 14 and provides a three-year high school education.
2) Semester Division
New Academic Year Start Date: April 1
If April 1 falls on a Sunday, the start date will be April 2.
The semesters are divided as follows:
1st Semester: April to September
2nd Semester: October to March of the following year
There are two vacation periods in each academic year.
3) Subjects
High schools offer 22 mandatary subjects:
Revolutionary History of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung
Revolutionary History of the Great Leader Kim Jong Il
Revolutionary History of the Anti-Japanese Heroine Mother Kim Jong Suk
Revolutionary History of Respected Leader Kim Jong Un
Current Party Policies
Socialist Morality and Law
Psychology and Logic
Korean Language and Literature
Classical Chinese
English
History
Geography
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Physical Education
Arts
Information Technology
Basic Technical Skills
Industrial (or Agricultural) Basics
- Military Activities Fundamentals
4) Academic Plan
| No. | Type of Academic Activity | Unit | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Regular Classes per Week | Week | 30 | 28 | 23 |
| 2 | Intensive Courses | Week | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| 3 | Exams | Week | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | Fieldwork | Week | 3 | 1 | |
| 5 | Youth Vanguard Training | Week | 1 | ||
| 6 | Tree Planting | Week | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | Production Labor | Week | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 8 | Socialist Patriotic Youth League Session | Days | (2) | (2) | (3) |
| 9 | Holiday | Week | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 10 | Preparation for New School Year and Semester | Days | (10) | (10) | (10) |
| 11 | Vacation | Week | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Total | Week | 52 | 52 | 48 |
North Korean high school academic plan
Additional Guidelines:
Classes are held in 45-minute sessions.
The daily schedule, including morning attendance, should be determined by each school according to its specific conditions and approved by the respective district or county education department.
Each school must create a detailed academic plan tailored to its specific circumstances based on the academic progression plan and inform teachers one month before the new academic year starts to ensure proper preparation.
Intensive subjects such as “Current Party Policies,” “Psychology and Logic,” “Basic Technical Skills,” and “Military Activities Fundamentals” should be taught continuously, regardless of the semester.
The Field Trip (for Grade 3) should generally be organized within the province. If teachers and students receive permission, it can be conducted in designated areas within a specified period.
During extracurricular activities and vacation periods, visits should be organized to local revolutionary historic sites, revolutionary war relics, liberation war memorial sites, and class education points. Other activities include visits to scientific, educational, and cultural institutions, factories, enterprises, cooperative farms, scenic spots, and mountain climbing.
Red Youth Guard Training should be conducted over a period of 7 days, including travel time. Productive Labor should be conducted for a total of 21 days.
During the tree-planting week in each academic year, 4 days in spring should be used for planting trees, and 3 days in autumn should be used for harvesting tree fruits.
The End-of-Year Alliance Life Review should be conducted for 1st and 2nd grades over two days following the end of the year exams, while for 3rd grade, the Graduation Alliance Life Review should be held from February 25 to 27, after graduation exams.
The Preparation Period for the new academic year should be 10 days:
New Academic Year Preparation: March 25 - March 31 (7 days)
New Semester Preparation: September 28 - September 30 (3 days)
Schools should ensure adequate rest during vacation periods and organize various activities that are educational and meaningful, considering the students' age and psychological characteristics.
- The Graduation Ceremony should be held before March 15.
Key Points and Takeaways about North Korea’s High School Education:
Centrally Controlled and Ideologically Driven Curriculum:
- North Korea’s high school education is centered around a curriculum that emphasizes ideological indoctrination, particularly through subjects dedicated to the revolutionary history of its leaders and current party policies. The curriculum is meticulously designed to produce citizens who are ideologically loyal and technically capable.
Focus on Political and Military Education:
- The high school curriculum includes mandatory subjects such as “Revolutionary History of the Great Leaders,” “Current Party Policies,” and “Military Activities Fundamentals,” indicating a heavy emphasis on political education and preparing students for military service.
Structured Around Practical Skills Development:
- The curriculum combines conventional academic subjects (e.g., Mathematics, English, and History) with practical skills (e.g., Basic Technical Skills, Industrial or Agricultural Basics, and Information Technology), aimed at equipping students with technical competencies needed for the workforce.
Two-Semester System with Regular Vacations:
- The academic year is divided into two semesters: April to September (1st semester) and October to March (2nd semester). Each academic year has two main vacation periods, totaling 55 vacation days, with the new academic year beginning on April 1.
Detailed Educational Guidelines:
- Classes are conducted in 45-minute sessions, and each school must have its academic plan approved by the district or county education department. Schools are required to create detailed academic plans tailored to their specific circumstances and inform teachers one month before the new academic year begins.
Intensive Courses and Special Activities:
- Intensive subjects like “Psychology and Logic,” “Basic Technical Skills,” and “Military Activities Fundamentals” are taught continuously regardless of semester divisions. There are additional mandatory activities, such as Youth Vanguard Training, Production Labor, and Tree Planting, to reinforce loyalty and practical skills.
Field Trips and Revolutionary Education:
- Field trips for Grade 3 students should be organized within the province unless special permission is granted. During extracurricular activities and vacations, schools are required to arrange visits to revolutionary historic sites, war relics, and other places that reinforce the revolutionary and ideological education of students.
Physical Labor and Extracurricular Activities:
- Productive labor is mandatory for a total of 21 days each academic year, integrating physical work into the education system. Other extracurricular activities include trips to scientific, educational, and cultural institutions, factories, enterprises, cooperative farms, and scenic spots.
Youth Vanguard Training:
- Red Youth Guard Training is a significant component of the curriculum, conducted over a period of 7 days, including travel time. This training instills discipline and prepares students for potential military service.
End-of-Year and Graduation Procedures:
- End-of-Year Alliance Life Reviews for 1st and 2nd graders are held after the year-end exams, while for 3rd graders, the Graduation Alliance Life Review takes place from February 25 to 27. The graduation ceremony should be completed before March 15 each year.
Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness:
- The curriculum includes a tree-planting week in each academic year, with 4 days dedicated to planting in spring and 3 days for harvesting in autumn. This practice is designed to instill environmental awareness and civic responsibility.
Holiday and Preparation Periods:
- Each academic year includes a set period for holiday and preparation for the new semester. The preparation period for the new academic year is from March 25 to 31 (7 days), and for the new semester, from September 28 to 30 (3 days).
Overall Analysis:
North Korea’s high school education is characterized by a strong emphasis on ideological indoctrination, military preparedness, and practical skill development. The curriculum is meticulously designed to align with the state’s broader goals of producing ideologically loyal, technically capable, and militarily prepared citizens. Educational content and activities are not only aimed at academic learning but also at reinforcing the political and social values dictated by the regime.
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