A philosophical basis for the new Christian School Movement in Korea (South)

Abstract

Because of the many shortcomings of public school education in Korea, an alternative school movement has begun to surface. Analysis of the philosophical foundations of this alternative movement reveals, however, that its programmes have thus far also been inspired by motives that have been characteristic for some time now of public schools, namely serious competition for places in higher education institutions. The purpose of this project was to, on the one hand, discover the shortcomings of current public and alternative schools in Korea, and on the other to reflect on replacing their current philosophies with a Christian approach and philosophy to schooling and education. The first step in understanding present day Korean education schooling was tracing the history and philosophy of Korean public and Christian alternative education. It emerged from this analysis that the biggest problem for Korean education is that education is knowledge-centred and intended for preparing students for entrance examinations to universities. instead of educating the whole person. The next step was to analise the history and philosophy of Australian Christian alternative schools. Christian schooling in Australia has contributed significantly to the development of a biblical understanding of education. The Christian Parent Controlled Schools (CPCS) has for instance been emphasising parents' right of educating their children in schools of their choice and which suit their life views. Christian Community Schools (CCS), on the other hand, has put emphasis on the importance of the school as a learning community where relationships arc more important than how they teach or even what they teach. Based on this comparative study and a study of a biblical philosophy of education, an educational philosophy for Korean Christian alternative schools could be suggested. Christian alternative schools have to teach education based on a Christian worldview and philosophy. Korean education. public as well as non-government school education, has thus far been totally dualistic in that it has tended to separate fact and value, public realm from private. The Christian school rejects such dualisms and educates its students as complete and total persons to know this world, to live and survive in it, to practice their God-given calling of stewardship of reality, to maintain their cultural mandate, to serve God in doing so. and to love and serve their fellowmen.