THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM OF 
THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
http://www.moe.go.kr/en

CONTENTS

I. The Direction of Curriculum Design
¥±. Educational Goals by School Level

¥°. The Direction of Curriculum Design

1. The Ideal Profile of Educated Person 

The objectives of Korea's education are, under the ideal of hongik-ingan (contributing to the overall benefit of humankind ¡ª the founding spirit of the first kingdom in Korean history), to assist all people in perfecting their individual character, to develop the ability to achieve an independent life and acquire the qualifications of democratic citizens, and to be able to participate in the building of a democratic state and promoting the prosperity of all humankind.

On the basis of the stated ideals of education, the well-educated person targeted by this curriculum is defined as follows:

  1. A person who seeks to develop his/her own individuality on the basis of well-rounded and wholesome development
  2. A person who demonstrates creative ability on the basis of a solid grounding in basic knowledge and skills
  3. A person who explores career paths on the basis of broad intellectual knowledge and skills in diverse academic disciplines
  4. A person who creates new values on the basis of an understanding of the national culture
  5. A person who contributes to the development of the community where he/she lives on the basis of democratic citizenship

2. General Framework of the Curriculum

In keeping with its goal of developing well-educated person, the curriculum is designed within the general framework as follows:

  1. To design the curriculum to help the students acquire basic abilities which will enable them to lead the trends of social change 
  2. To introduce a system of a national common basic curriculum and elective-centered curriculum
  3. To optimize the volume and level of the content of learning and to introduce the differentiated curriculum so as to provide students with in-depth education
  4. To diversify the contents of the curriculum and methods of instruction in consideration of each student's ability, aptitude, and career choice
  5. To broaden the autonomy of individual schools in organizing and implementing their own curriculum
  6. To reinforce the quality control of education by establishing the curriculum evaluation system 
     

 

¥±. Educational Goals by School Level

To develop the well-educated person aimed at this curriculum, the educational goals by school levels are specified as follows.

1. The Goals of Elementary School Education

Elementary school education puts emphasis on helping students acquire basic abilities, skills, and habits essential for learning and daily life. The goals are: 

  1. To provide a variety of experiences for the balanced development of the mind and body
  2. To help students develop the basic abilities to recognize and solve problems in daily life and to provide them with rich experiences of expressing their own feelings and ideas in various manners
  3. To provide students with a wide range of learning experiences conducive to the understanding of the diverse world of work
  4. To develop attitudes for the understanding and appreciation of tradition and culture
  5. To develop basic life habits necessary for a daily life and to foster love for neighbors and country
     

2. The Goals of Middle School Education

Middle school education puts emphasis on helping students acquire basic abilities essential for learning and daily life and democratic citizenship on the basis of the success of the elementary school education. The goals are: 

  1. To promote the well-balanced development of the mind and body and to offer opportunities for the students to discover their potentials on their own
  2. To help students cultivate basic and problem-solving abilities necessary for learning and daily life and to provide them with experience of expressing their thoughts and feelings creatively 
  3. To enable students to attain knowledge and skills in diverse fields so that they will be able to actively explore their own career paths
  4. To foster an attitude to take pride in and develop tradition and culture
  5. To cultivate the understanding of the basic value and principles of free democracy and the democratic way of life

3. The Goals of High School Education

High school education puts an emphasis on helping students acquire abilities essential for progressing along their chosen career paths and develop qualification of world citizens, on the basis of the success of the middle school education.

  1. To help students develop a well-harmonized character along with a sound body and mind and a mature sense of self-identity
  2. To help students develop the abilities and attitudes of logical, critical, and creative thinking required for academic pursuits and daily life
  3. To enable students to attain knowledge and skills in diverse fields so that they will be able to carve out a career in accordance with their aptitudes and interests 
  4. To encourage students to work to develop our traditions and culture in a way appropriate for the global setting
  5. To help students endeavor to build and develop the national community and to develop an awareness and attitude as global citizens