English and Chinese language textbooks are so expensive in North Korea that university students are forced to either borrow material or make group purchases, a source has revealed. The texts are then transcribed by hand. <\/p>\n
In accordance with the free education system in the North, the authorities must supply university students with all required materials. However economic problems have meant that each student now has to purchase their own textbooks at the markets. <\/p>\n
The source from South Pyongan Province contacted Daily NK on the 12th and said, \u201cEven if they want to study a foreign language, many university students are not able to because they don\u2019t have the proper materials. The number of available textbooks does not match the demand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStudents pool their money to purchase one expensive textbook and then it\u2019s transcribed by hand. They complain that, \u2018More time is spent making the material than actually studying.\u2019 Some parents have also complained to the universities.\u201d <\/p>\n
According to the source, foreign language majors find it more difficult than other students to source the required material as it\u2019s difficult to find them in the markets, and they are not available for borrowing. It also takes longer to transcribe a foreign language, and, as a result, some students are falling behind on their grades. <\/p>\n
Some have vented their frustration, stating that, \u201cHaving to study without a textbook is no different from telling a blind person to read.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrently, students have to pay whatever price is being demanded at the markets because the number of foreign language textbooks is woefully insufficient. As soon as word gets out they are available, they are sold out in an instant,\u201d the source continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe state pricing of university-level English and Chinese texts is 42 chon, but in the markets they can fetch around 6000 to 10,000 won. But recently they have been scarce, so there are instances where they go for as much as 20-30,000won, meaning a considerable number of university students cannot purchase them.\u201d <\/p>\n
Finally, the source explained, \u201cAs part of the Party line of promoting foreign languages, most universities focus on foreign language courses. Production of materials must also go up, but it hasn\u2019t. In fact it\u2019s mostly the case that past materials are being reused. The education authorities only actively promote the \u2018superiority of our Party\u2019s educational policy\u2019 and \u2018Kim Jong Eun\u2019s love for future generations\u2019; they have no interest in things like producing learning materials.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
English and Chinese language textbooks are so expensive in North Korea that university students are forced to either borrow material or make group purchases, a source has revealed. The texts are then transcribed by hand. In accordance with the free education system in the North, the authorities must supply university students with all required materials. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":145,"featured_media":25164,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[645],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25162","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-economy"],"yoast_head":"\n