North Korean schools are supposed to shift from book learning to a more hands-on, participatory model of education, but teachers say they lack the resources needed for that kind of instruction.
A source in Pyongyang told Daily NK recently that in early September, the education ministry ordered education bureaus in each province and the capital to foster students’ talents and train them to be practical-minded.
“High schools around the country have been ordered to include more hands-on and discussion-based components in their curriculum,” the source said.
“In the past, students were expected to listen quietly as teachers lectured, but now the curriculum is changing to incorporate more student participation. About 70% of classes are supposed to consist of hands-on activities, discussions or presentations,” the source said.
In effect, the regime is ordering schools to move from passive to active learning, encouraging student participation rather than relying on rote memorization.
But schools cannot provide that kind of hands-on, discussion-focused learning environment.
“Science subjects such as chemistry and physics really ought to have a practical component, but schools simply don’t have any of the educational materials needed for that kind of instruction. Without lab equipment or basic materials such as litmus paper and batteries, teachers struggle in hands-on classes and generally end up showing students photographs in the textbooks,” the source said.
Schools resort to going through the motions
When unprepared schools are forced to provide active learning anyway, they take a superficial approach to their student-oriented classes.
“When officials show up to observe classes, teachers reluctantly hold practical classes, but they’re under a great deal of stress and constantly remind students not to make any mistakes during their experiments,” the source said.
Since Kim Jong Un came to power, the North Korean regime has been asking schools to give experiments and other hands-on activities more weight in the curriculum while emphasizing the educational importance of practical learning and creativity.
For similar reasons, North Korea has opened technical high schools and other specialized schools and regularly asks school administrators to prioritize practical learning.
But for schools to provide experiments, practical learning and hands-on activities, they need educational materials and appropriate spaces. Given the lack of those basic conditions,the goals of educational policy don’t match the actual classroom environment.
“The government wants us to hold more experiments and hands-on activities, but there’s practically nothing you can do with an empty lab. Educational policies like this just end up stressing out both teachers and students,” the source said.
