PSCORE Education Projects

In March 2010, an estimated number of 20,000 North Korean defectors were living in South Korea. This included 1,143 elementary, middle and high school students and more than 1,000 students enrolled in university programs throughout the country.

According to research conducted by the Korean Education Development Institute, the dropout rate of North Korean defectors in elementary school in 2008 was 1.4 percent, 9 percent for middle school students and stunningly 14.2 percent for high school students. However, these numbers have shown substantial improvements in contrast to 2007 (elementary school - 3.5%, middle school - 12.9%, and high school - 28.1%.) Nonetheless, when these numbers are compared with the dropout rate of average South Korean students (elementary school - 1%, high school - 1.1%, special high schools - 3.8%), it is clearly that the dropout rates for North Korean students is still well-above average. There is a number of reasons, including poor math skills, large age gaps between North Korean students and their classmates and the much more demanding daily schedule of the North Korean students.

A large portion of North Korean students who joined our programs came to South Korea on their own, while many others are living in single-parent households. However, soon after fleeing from the North, many North Koreans find a whole host of difficulties adapting to the South Korean society. In most of the cases these students attend classes where most of their classmates are younger than they are, which make them feel that they have to complete their education as quickly as possible. As a result, many of them end up drifting along for periods that range from months to years, and are unable to complete even the most basic education. Furthermore, the high level of education that South Korean students receive is hardly a match to the education in the North, even for those students who have completed their primary education in their mother country.

Therefore, PSCORE organizes both education and cultural activities to help these students academically and socially adapt to the South Korea society.

Goals

- In accordance with goals set out by PSCORE, cultivate individuals who will play a role in the reunification process of Korean Peninsula.

- Help students to become successful academically by providing them with the tools to adapt to the South Korean school curriculum, and offer extra-tutoring for any parts of their curriculum in which they are having difficulty.

One-to-one Tutoring

PSCORE's one-to-one education program is focusing on the needs of the individual students, an aid them in completing their desired level of education. PSCORE has placed emphasis on the overall management of the one-on-one education program, and is currently administering a weekly course that aims to improve student's English pronunciation.

Click here to apply

Cultural Activities

- Provide students and teachers the opportunity once a month to meet in a social environment and experience South Korean culture.

- Provide students and teachers the chance to build their knowledge about South Korean culture and make new friends. Participation in these activities will promote better social skills among North Korean students by encouraging them to mingle with large groups of people.

Wednesday English Classes

Every Wednesday, we hold an English class taught by volunteer teachers for North Korean students who want to learn English and improve their pronunciation and speaking skills. The Wednesday English Class starting at 6:30pm(It lasts about one and a half hours). If you are interested in the class and are also available to teach from 6.30pm to 8pm on every Wednesday, please join the Wednesday class. We usually meet at 6pm to have some snacks together so if you are able to join us, you are more than welcome! The location is Seodaemoon police station(at meeting room on 2nd fl.) near Seodaemoon station(서대문역), line No. 5 (gate No. 7)

Thank you very much!      

If you want to join the class, do not hesitate to contact us.

Tel. 02-6497-5035

E-mail. [email protected]