The number of high schoolers per teacher is falling here in Korea.
At the same time there's been a dramatic dip in the rate of graduates advancing to universities or junior colleges.
It could be viewed as a concerning development in a traditionally studious culture... but according to our Won Jung-hwan, there's more to this trend than meets the eye.

A few generations ago in South Korea, going to college was something unusual. Now it's the opposite -- so much so... that those who don't go are sometimes labeled as failures.


"By the end of high school, for most South Koreans, it's been twelve or more years in school, late night cram sessions and test prep classes... with the goal of getting into a prestigious university,... preferably in the capital, Seoul."

The percentage of high school graduates enrolling in higher education has risen significantly since the 1990s,… reaching a high water mark in 2008 at 83-point-8-percent.
It appeared to be a mark of huge progress in the local education sector.

Since the turn of the decade, however, the trend seems to have started shifting, and the the rate has fallen steadily since then.
According to the "Social Indicators" report from Statistics Korea, the rate last year for high school grads heading into tertiary education dipped by 9-tenths of a percentage point from the previous year... to 68-point-9-percent.
While that's not a massive drop,... the ongoing decline could mean something is changing in Korean society.
Experts point to the changing career ambitions of young people and reform in the educational system.


"Various reasons have contributed to the drop in the enrollment rate. First, there's been some controversy about the opportunity cost of getting a college degree. Second, during the Lee Myung-bak administration, the government opened more than 20 specialized trade schools as alternative to university, encouraging high school graduates to skip college and head straight into the workforce."

Another reason for the decline in enrollment rates could be changing perceptions of how best to pursue a career.
Despite the persistent view in Korea that a degree confers overwhelming advantages, some students say they can do just fine without one... or just wait 'til later.


"I don't think my future is guaranteed even if I do go to college. I think getting a job all depends on my skills and experience."


"Whether you go to a college or not, the most important thing is all about doing what you want. And I don't think it's too late to take some time and think about what you want and maybe go to college at some point down the road."

Even though it's still widely thought that not going for higher education badly hurts your chances in the Korean job market, the numbers could be telling us that society is accommodating more of those who choose a different path.
Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News.