Suicide is a big issue in South Korea's education system. The
highest rates of people who commit suicide are middle and high school students.
People who are fairly familiar with Korean education might immediately infer
that student's suicide is caused by the following: competitive atmosphere,
depression, pressure, and school violence.
Students in South Korea are subject to
strict education, which leads to a competitive environment. Because of this
strict system, most students’ studies do not end just in school; they are
followed by private tutoring and extra classes. Students would probably feel
less pressure if their parents would encourage them more and give them leisure
time, but unfortunately their decisions are also affected by the competition.
In most cases, this is the cause of depression and stress. Under this system of
strict education, students do no longer study or do something because they
desire to do it, they fulfill it because they are told to and they know that if
they do not do it, they will rank low.
School violence is another problem that leads to students
committing suicide. There are many cases in which groups of students bully a
student, making him do their homework, buy them food, and give them money. These
students who are bullied never have the courage to tell their teachers or
parents about it, because they are afraid they might get in trouble with the
school bullies. These students also feel depression, because they do not have
friends. Other students tend to not go near these bullied students, because
they are afraid they might also get into trouble.
There are many factors that affect students’ decision to commit
suicide. I believe this is a problem in the system. If the education system was
more based the different personalities of the students, the student would not
have to stress about catching up a certain level. I also believe that teachers
should be able to walk up to a student who needs assistance and speak to them
in a caring and encouraging manner. Students should feel comfortable speaking
to teachers about their problems at school.
