Education goals and curriculum in North Korea
“The overall goal of the compulsory 12-year education is to foster the rising new generation with an independent ideological consciousness and creative abilities, cultivating them into fully developed, well-rounded revolutionary talent equipped with both intellect and physical strength.” – General Objectives of Compulsory 12-Year Education. Image | KCNA
In line with other countries, North Korea has defined the 21st century as the era of the knowledge economy. To raise the educational level of the populace to meet the needs of the era, one of the first things Kim Jong-un did when he came to power in 2012 was to raise compulsory education from 11 to 12 years.
Since then, there have been some adjustments to what children are taught, notably that the country is no longer interested in reunifying with South Korea. But the basic objectives and curriculum remain.
The basic policy is contained in this 2013 document, first obtained and printed by Freedom Chosun in 2023, and some key excerpts are reprinted here.
Table of Contents
Foreword
I. Role and Mission of General Compulsory 12-Year Education, General Objectives
- Role and Mission of General Compulsory 12-Year Education
- Role of General Compulsory 12-Year Education
- Mission of General Compulsory 12-Year Education
- General Objectives of General Compulsory 12-Year Education
II. Primary and Secondary Curricula
- Purpose and Achievements of Primary and Secondary Education
- Purpose
- Target Achievements
- Primary and Secondary Course Outlines
- System
- Semester Division
- Subject Configuration
- Academic Progress Plan
- Teaching Progress Plan
- Academic Performance Evaluation
- Requirements for Implementation of the Curriculum
- Subject-Specific Teaching Guidelines
- The Revolutionary Activities of the Great Leader Kim Il-sung
- The Revolutionary Activities of the Great Leader Kim Jong-il
- The Revolutionary Activities of the Anti-Japanese Heroine Kim Jong-suk
- Socialist Morality
- Korean Language
- English
- Korean History
- Korean Geography
- Mathematics
- Natural Science
- Information Technology
Foreword
The great leader Kim Jong-il emphasized the following: “Education is one of the fundamental issues that determines the fate of the country and the future of the nation.” (Kim Jong-il’s Collected Works, Volume 8, p. 102)
Thanks to the noble education-oriented philosophy of the great Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, and their outstanding leadership, our country was the first in the world to implement the general 11-year compulsory education system starting in Juche 61 (1972), marking the golden age of Juche-based education.
The immortal achievements and education philosophy of the great leaders, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, are being brilliantly carried forward and developed today by our respected leader Kim Jong-un.
With extraordinary insight and scientific leadership, respected Kim Jong-un has clearly outlined the direction and methods for advancing secondary education to a higher level, in line with the laws of socialist educational development, the reality of our country’s education system, and global educational trends. A revolutionary step was taken under his guidance to implement the general 12-year compulsory education system.
In advancing our country as an educational powerhouse based on Juche and a socialist civilization, the implementation of the general 12-year compulsory education curriculum is of profound significance.
The general 12-year compulsory education curriculum is a comprehensive educational plan that outlines the objectives, content, methods, procedures, and sequencing of primary and secondary education, detailing the general goals and guidelines for each subject. The curriculum serves as the directive of the Party to the schools and is a legal mandate of the state.
The curriculum provides specific subject-by-subject teaching plans and outlines, forming the legal basis for writing textbooks and conducting educational activities. All educational personnel and teachers must fully implement this curriculum to decisively improve the quality of education and cultivate a generation of capable revolutionary leaders who will serve as the pillars in building a strong socialist nation.
I. Role and Mission of General Compulsory 12-Year Education, General Objectives
The great leader Kim Jong-il emphasized the following: “Primary and secondary education is the foundational educational stage for cultivating talent, so it is essential to organize political, ideological education and scientific-technical education content in accordance with the position and mission of primary and secondary education.”
1) Role of General Compulsory 12-Year Education
The comprehensive 12-year compulsory education is the foundational stage of education in our country’s socialist education system. Just as solid roots are necessary for bearing abundant fruit, strengthening general secondary education at this foundational stage allows us to cultivate outstanding talents. Comprehensive 12-year compulsory education is the most thorough and free mandatory education that provides complete general primary and secondary education to all children and adolescents in the country, ranging from ages 5 to 17. It consists of one year of pre-school education, five years of primary school education, three years of lower secondary school education, and three years of upper secondary school education.
2) Mission of General Compulsory 12-Year Education
The mission of the 12-year compulsory education is to raise a new generation that is both morally and physically capable, in line with the fundamental principles of socialist pedagogy. Specifically, the goal is to provide students with a firm revolutionary worldview, develop their knowledge and skills in line with the demands of the military-first era and the knowledge economy, and prepare them for successful academic, military, and societal participation. In doing so, they will be able to contribute to carrying out revolutionary tasks throughout their lives, laying a solid foundation for lifelong learning.
For this education system to achieve its mission, it will enhance the quality of higher education and overall societal standards in thought, technology, and culture. This will enable the people to live meaningful lives, advancing the legacy of the Kim Il-sung nation and Kim Jong-il Korea into a shining socialist civilization.
2. General Objectives of Compulsory 12-Year Education
The great leader Kim Jong-il emphasized the following: “Socialist education is a cause that aims to cultivate the revolutionary consciousness and creative abilities of young people. Therefore, the content of primary and secondary education must foster an independent ideological consciousness and creative capabilities, to cultivate well-rounded socialist citizens who are fully developed in both intellect and physical capacity.” (Kim Jong-il’s Collected Works, Volume 8, p. 108)
The overall goal of the compulsory 12-year education is to foster the rising new generation with an independent ideological consciousness and creative abilities, cultivating them into fully developed, well-rounded revolutionary talent equipped with both intellect and physical strength.
1) The goal is to establish a firm revolutionary worldview that guides students to possess a clear revolutionary sense of purpose and develop truthful, cultured, and noble moral character in both their studies and daily life.
- Based on a principled understanding of the greatness of the thought and theory of the great leaders of Baekdu Mountain, and their leadership and personal dignity, students will cultivate a firm revolutionary loyalty to the leader, viewing unwavering loyalty to the Party and the leader as the highest priority, and ensure that the spirit of resolute defense of the leadership, symbolized by the total commitment and bodyguard mentality, becomes part of their very character.
- Students will clearly recognize the essence and principles of the immortal Juche ideology and the Songun ideology, understanding that fulfilling the people’s revolutionary cause of independence is the true path of human life, thus filling them with a determination to live a meaningful and valuable life.
- Students will embrace the teachings of the great leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, as well as the words of the respected Kim Jong-un, as their core belief, cultivating an unshakable commitment to carrying out the leader’s directives in all circumstances. They will firmly adhere to thinking and acting according to the principles of Juche and Songun, making them a core principle in every situation. Students will arm themselves with the revolutionary traditions of our Party and carry them forward, rigorously applying these principles in both their studies and their life. They will be imbued with the spirit of revolution and a sense of responsibility, continuously strengthening the superiority of our unique socialist system centered on the people.
- Having a strong class consciousness, students will understand the importance of our military, viewing it as the foundation for peace and socialism. In the event that imperialist forces such as the US and Japan recklessly provoke conflict, students will possess the courage and resolve to decisively defend our country’s interests under the banner of Juche and Songun, and to achieve the historic mission of reunifying the country.
- “One for all, and all for one” is the slogan and spirit that shapes the character of individuals who love the collective, society, and the people, and are willing to sacrifice themselves for the Party, the leader, and the homeland.
- With the patriotic spirit of Kim Jong-il, students will learn to cherish even the smallest things in life, from their family and parents to the fields, trees, and villages, to the very environment around them. They will develop an awareness of the world they live in, foster civic consciousness, and be determined to fulfill their duties as citizens.
- They will be trained to uphold the highest standards of truthfulness, culture, and noble moral character in their speech, behavior, learning, and everyday life.
- They will thoroughly understand the principles and norms of socialist morality, national laws, and regulations, and apply them consistently in life. They will actively fight against any illegal behaviors.
2) On the basis of providing students with sufficient general knowledge in primary and secondary education, creative abilities will be developed through a combination of information technology education and fundamental knowledge.
- (1) General basic knowledge in the field of social sciences will be strengthened, so students can acquire general knowledge of society and the ability to apply it effectively.
- They will develop a solid foundation in the national language and literature, enabling them to accurately listen, read, write, understand, and express themselves.
- They will acquire basic skills in writing and speaking in various formats according to the principles of logic and reasoning.
- Basic grammatical knowledge and its application will be cultivated to ensure proficiency in language use.
- Students will be encouraged to appreciate, analyze, evaluate, and create literary works, building foundational skills in literature.
- They will be made aware of the long history and brilliant cultural traditions of our nation, fostering a sense of national pride and identity, and enabling them to draw lessons and experiences from historical events.
- Students will develop psychological and logical abilities to facilitate their academic and social lives.
- One foreign language will be taught to ensure students can engage in everyday conversations and effectively communicate according to the situation.
Morning of Han River (pen name) is a reporter at Freedom Chosun. Born in North Korea, he defected to South Korea in 2007.
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- Education goals and curriculum in North Korea - February 7, 2025