North Korean schools may be closed for summer, but teachers are busier than ever with training programs and public service projects.
“Teachers in Haeju had barely started summer vacation on August 1 when their schools ordered them to show up for professional development on August 5. Teachers say these training courses, along with public service and student management, make vacations even busier than the school year,” a source in South Hwanghae province told Daily NK on Thursday.
Vacation training courses for teachers last around ten days, depending on the schedule from the local education department. But on top of training, teachers are also expected to help with various public works projects, including straightening gravel on railroads, maintaining waterways and doing farm work.
Even during vacation, teachers must still monitor their students. All told, teachers have even more to do when school is closed than when classes are in session, the source explained.
“Students love summer vacation, but teachers dread it because of training courses and various public service duties. During the school year, teachers have morning classes so are only expected to do a couple hours of public service in the afternoon. But during vacation, they get called in for full-day service,” the source said.
Low wages force teachers to seek side income
Although North Korean teachers face a heavy workload even during vacation, their wages are far too small to support themselves.
Teachers’ wages follow a seniority-based sliding scale with five levels. Beginning teachers (level five) reportedly make around 75,000 North Korean won per month, while veteran teachers (level one) still only receive about 120,000 won.
Considering that a kilogram of rice currently costs around 15,000 won at North Korean markets, a beginning teacher could only buy about five kilograms of rice with a month’s salary.
As a result, many teachers seek side jobs — such as running a business or teaching private lessons — to make ends meet.
Teachers of popular subjects like math, English and music can supplement their income with one-on-one tutoring if they have a good reputation. But teachers of less popular subjects and those from disreputable families usually struggle to make a living and must run small businesses or rely on their husband’s income.
Teachers often view vacations as a chance to make extra money. But the reality is they have so many training courses and social obligations that little time remains for side jobs, the source said.
Some schools encourage teachers to make time for business. But such generous talk irritates teachers whose schedules are already packed with training programs and other academic responsibilities.
“Practically speaking, teachers can’t support a family on wages alone. Teachers often say they’d like to earn more, but don’t have the time or ability to do so,” the source said.
“Teachers joke about getting sent to so many public works projects that they’re often mistaken for crew leaders at construction sites and farms,” the source added.
