History of education in Korea
Education in the prehistoric times mostly consisted of hunting, fishing, toolmaking, and combat.
[1] In the Gojoseon period (?-108 BC), many of the factors in the prehistoric education still remained, but an earlier frame of society was established, along with social morality.
Passages of the book show evidence of agriculture, punishment, morality, and medicine.
[1] In the period of the Three Kingdoms of Korea (57–688 AD), the governments began to institute education.
It can also be seen through cultural exchanges with Japan, such as the transference of the books the Analects and the Thousand Character Classic at 258 AD.
Further evidence of education is shown in the history book Seugi (서기; 書記)[1] There are no records of an established institution.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea holds that educational institutions were found earlier than 372 AD.
[6] During the rule of Gwangjong of Goryeo (925 – 975 AD), the gwageo (과거; 科擧) examination system was strengthened due to the influences of Confucianism.
The first concrete policy based on Confucianism was created during the reign of Seongjong of Goryeo (r. 981–997 AD).
The public curriculum was based on books such as the Classic of Filial Piety and the Analects.
[1] There were two major types of education in this period: Gwanhak (관학; 官學) and Sahak (사학; 私學).
[13] Major Gwanhak institutions include Gukjagam and Hakdang (학당; 學堂) in the cities and Hyanggyo in the rural areas.
The government also established public libraries such as Bisuhwon (비서원; 秘書院) and Susuhwon (수서원; 修書院) to support educational efforts.
It was regulated by social class and rank and played a major role in establishing future institutions.
[14] Major Sahak institutions include Sibido (십이도; 十二徒) and Seodang (서당; 書堂).
[15] At the end of the Goryeo dynasty, Buddhism began to lose political influence.
This idea has been credited with establishing a system of ethics for the entire country and contributing to Korea's philosophy of education as a whole.
[1] Higher education institutions included Sungkyunkwan (Korean: 성균관) in Seoul, which had the role of a university.
Secondary education institutions included Sahak (사학; 四學) in the cities and Hyanggyo in the rural areas.
Private schools included Shuyuan and the primary education institution Seodang.
Government subsidies such as cultivated land, rice, and fish were given, and privileges such as tax exemption were granted.
Annually, 20 students from each school in Sahak were tested for a governmental position; this system was called Seungbo (승보; 陞補).
In the late 19th century, the government, patriots, and foreign missionaries began to establish schools adopted to contemporary culture.
19th century education began with the establishment of the Gwanhaks Dongmunhak (동문학; 同文學) and Youkyoungongwon (육영공원; 育英公院).
Around 1894, Gojong of the Korean Empire officially promulgated that modern education should be accepted.
In 1895, Heungha School (흥화학교; 興化學校) was established by Min Yeong-hwan to teach English, Japanese, and surveying techniques.
The subjects Susin (수신), Korean, Japanese, hanja, and arithmetic were required.
The educational policies for students speaking Japanese and Korean were separately created.
As a direct consequence, Rules concerning the establishment of Keijō Imperial University (경성제국대학설치에 관한 법률) was promulgated in 1922.
[1] The Korean language was changed to an elective course, which meant its eventual end.
