Starting in September 2014, North Korea began reducing class times by five minutes for elementary, middle, and high schools, and granting elementary students extended summer breaks. In conjunction with this policy, larger changes are reportedly underway to give students better opportunities to attend college--regardless of their background.

“Under Kim Jong Eun's orders, summer break for students has been increased by 10 days, and class time has decreased from 45 minutes to 40 minutes,” a source in Yangkang Province reported to Daily NK on January 8th.

According to the source, due to the five minute reduction of total class time, the class that previously took place in the afternoon will be moved to the morning block, with the afternoon now serving as a study hall period. 

Under this new schedule, classes begin at 7:00a.m. and end at 1:00p.m.; during the afternoon study hall period, students may receive supplemental help and materials in mathematics, physics, computer science, and other classes in their areas of concentration. 

The authorities are touting the change as another display of “Kim Jong Eun’s love for the children," the source explained. “[Kim Jong Eun] places the utmost importance on education of the gifted, so from elementary school, students who are gifted in playing computer games or using programs are put into groups and educated separated by the schools.”

Regarding the 10-day extension applied to summer vacations for elementary students, the source said the state has touted it as born of the "Marshal's concern that students will have a hard time studying in the hot weather."

As a result of the directive, summer break for elementary students will begin July 20th, and last for 41 days; winter break will remain as before--a one-month holiday in January. Middle and high school students will continue to receive approximately a month for summer vacation to begin at the end of July, with the exact dates and duration varying marginally depending on school and region. 

This official change comes amid much larger modifications rumored to challenge the framework of North Korean society. “Recently, intelligence has been prioritized over foundation [songbun, or family political background] in fostering young talent," she explained. “Even if you are not the son or daughter of a Party cadre, if you're good at studying, you have the chance to attend a better school.”

Predictably, most residents are wary about pinning their hopes on the alleged changes. “So there will be no more incidents of people not being able to attend university because of their background?" they have said, quickly pointing out, "You can't change something that's been in place all these years with one policy."

Still, some have allowed themselves to feel cautious optimism regarding the new policies. “Last year, people who had the knowledge but not the family background to get into college lined up to join teachers groups formed by residents," she said, adding that among themselves, some residents have compared Kim Jong Eun's "benevolent policies" to those of the Suryeong [Kim Il Sung],citing them as cause for technological improvements within the country.