Unfortunately this week I have not been able to correspond with my first International contact, Jo Theis. I believe she is still in Malaysia attending a Conference. However, I reviewed her previous correspondence and found several references to the excellence in her experience in Korea. The school Ms. Theis works for costs $25,000 a year to attend and none of the students are attending on a scholarship. She told me that education and children, rich or poor, are a priority in Korea. Families will make great sacrifices for their children's education. She also talked about how the children push themselves and strive for excellence. Because the students work so hard it pushes the teachers and raises the bar for them to challenge the students. Many students will attend after school what is known as Hogwon, which is not tutoring or assistance with homework but rather it is more school. Compared to her experience in Minneapolis it is drastically different. Excellence in education is expected in Korea.
From my contact in Costa Rica, Jeanette Tapiaaguilar, she told me the history of education in Costa Rica and how they are the most literate country in Central America. She proudly told me that the country is proud of their 93% literacy in the population over the age of 10. Teachers are highly respected in her country and out number policemen she jokingly told me. Even very rural communities have a elementary and high school. Education is state-funded in Costa Rica with even their Universities being state-funded. There are also private elementary, high schools, and universities but they also do not cost very much to attend and are regulated by the State Ministry. Libraries in rural areas also assist with educating older adults if they need improvement on their literacy skills or just want to learn more. Education is available for everyone, rich or poor, and she was very proud that even children from poor families have the opportunity to obtain a higher education.
From both of my contacts it is evident that both countries make education and children a priority. This seems to be something that here in America we lack. While education and children are important in our country I don't feel that we make them a top priority. The tide seems to be changing in America, however we still struggle for funding, accountability, achievement gaps, and meeting standards.
From my contact in Costa Rica, Jeanette Tapiaaguilar, she told me the history of education in Costa Rica and how they are the most literate country in Central America. She proudly told me that the country is proud of their 93% literacy in the population over the age of 10. Teachers are highly respected in her country and out number policemen she jokingly told me. Even very rural communities have a elementary and high school. Education is state-funded in Costa Rica with even their Universities being state-funded. There are also private elementary, high schools, and universities but they also do not cost very much to attend and are regulated by the State Ministry. Libraries in rural areas also assist with educating older adults if they need improvement on their literacy skills or just want to learn more. Education is available for everyone, rich or poor, and she was very proud that even children from poor families have the opportunity to obtain a higher education.
From both of my contacts it is evident that both countries make education and children a priority. This seems to be something that here in America we lack. While education and children are important in our country I don't feel that we make them a top priority. The tide seems to be changing in America, however we still struggle for funding, accountability, achievement gaps, and meeting standards.
Toni,
ReplyDeleteStudents in Korea seem reversed compared to the children in the U.S...they push the teachers to challenge them instead of the teachers pushing them by providing challenging activites. Wow! Though I find this to be impressive, I also find it to be a bit sad, because when do these children have time to play and freely explore their environment?
I like the fact that Costa Rica provides equal educational opportunities for all children. Great information...thanks for sharing.
Toney,
ReplyDeleteI feel the same as you do about American families and parents do not take education seriously, however it seems other countries to not play with their children when it comes to education.
I know for a fact that parents from Korea, do not play with their children and education. I had a student from Korea a few years back and just the thought of the child playing or not paying attention will cause his parents discuss and frustration.
Thanks for sharing the information. I surely wished that I could have received a response from a contact, however I didn't so I had to choose the alternative.
So sad to say we don't make education a priorty. I just received information from an advocacy group this week in regards to classroom sizes growing again if we don't speak up. Of course all over the country there is a fight to see early childhood as important, even with research that supports this fact.
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