Most teachers in South Korea believe the current curriculums of elementary and secondary schools are too focused on examinations and fail to teach students skills that can help them in the future, a survey showed Tuesday.

In a survey of 667 teachers nationwide conducted by religious civic organization Good Teacher, 77 percent, or 514, felt the current standardized test-based curriculum focuses too much on academic evaluation and thereby discourages students from applying what they have learned. 

Of those who responded negatively about the current educational system, 42 said they felt unhappy about “almost all” school lessons.

The survey added that teachers believe the 12-year course of education puts students under an excessive amount of pressure only for the sake of exams, but teaches few subjects that can help students become more adaptable in the future.

Meanwhile, a low level of proficiency and understanding of subjects among students is attributed to textbooks that “cover too many topics that are too difficult,” said 64 percent of the survey’s respondents, or 426 of them.

On the other hand, customized education and curriculum for students are “almost impossible” at the moment, said 422 of the surveyed teachers. They added that the structure of the education system in South Korea is to blame.

However, 1 in 3 of those surveyed believed it is “partially possible” to offer customized curriculum based on individual learning speed by improving and diversifying teaching methods.

By Bak Se-hwan (sh@heraldcorp.com)