Education & Creativity.

  In Korea, there is a word that expresses the power of education. “Cow bones tower.” When Korea started the modernization, many people were still farmers. However, farmers noticed that in modernization, they can escape from poverty by educating their children. So many farmers strongly supported the education for their children with hopeful expect toward them. And to earn money for them, they sell their lands and cows.

(For Korean farmers, cow was the essential estate for either agriculture or commerce.)

 Writer expressed this situation like this. “Today’s students are studying on the tower of cow bones that was killed for their tuition fee.”  This is the origin of the word “Cow bones tower.”

 But, why farmers supported them by selling their most important estate? In my opinion, it is because of the power of education that can move the social hierarchy. In the modernization era, with the higher education they can have certain jobs 100%. Also it allowed them to escape from poverty they had experienced through harsh agricultural condition. With this expectation, old farmers of Korea ventured their future to their children.

However, things have changed. Although, traditional education system had succeeded to nurture people who are needed to economic growth, these days require something different. 

In this essay, I will briefly organize the problems that current educational systems’ problems and how they kill creativity of students.

1.     Current Education system has no diversity.

 According to Mr. Ken’s lecture, creativity can be nurtured on the basis of diversity. In other words, there should be opened and wide variety of education for students. They should be able to learn many things. For example, they can learn dance, swim and literature without any concern. However, in reality, school system does not provide enough range of education for students. With limited number of teachers and capital, they cannot give students choices. Without the diversity of education, Students’ creativity cannot be expressed.

2.     Education system is focused on grading.

 GPA is not the most important thing. However, it is. In Korea, for the university entrance, the most powerful tool to appeal the ability of student is grade. So school system also focuses on “upgrading.” Many teachers in Korean high school force students to get better score than others. They have to study after the regular class courses. This is so called “야자.” (Additional classes after school) However, we cannot blame teachers it is not only the problem of schools but also educational system that makes students to focus on their grade. However, as Mr. Ken said, there are many ways that allow individual to develop. Maybe they can draw a picture, or plan a movie. However, in Korean society it is really hard to do that.

3.     Still. Many Koreans think that education is the only way for hierarchical change.

 We know that things have changed. We are not living in a modernization period. Still, however, many people think education is the best way for better life. There are famous jobs in Korea. Those are doctor, lawyer and professor. In Korean society these vocations are treated as privileged class. Many people want them or their children to have vested rights and earn more money. So it is not strange situation that many parents support their children to make them doctors, lawyers, and professors. To become these “privileged class” it is crucial to get a good grade in schools.

 This is the original reason that explains why Korean society’s education system is stagnated by the grade and loss of diversity.

And Finally -- How can we solve.

 The paradigm should be changed. Education is not a tool for entrance to the privileged class. Education should be recognized as an investment for future that helps us to improvise our talents. The original idea of parents should be changed also.

 They should recognize their children that they have some sort of creativity. Also they should effort to discover their children’s potential ability.