This week we visited Haesol Career Preparatory School in Chuncheon. It is a technical school specifically for Korean defectors. I had no idea what to expect going in and was surprised at a number of aspects of the school. The school takes students of all ages. The oldest student is currently 47 years old, but most of their clientele are middle and high school aged students. I learned that most of them spoke Chinese as their primary language. It seems the majority of their students are actually the children of defectors who escaped to China and eventually made their way to South Korea. It is a tremendous challenge for these incoming students, who must start their entire academic careers again from scratch. South Korea does not recognize any education received in China or North Korea. Students are given competency and language exams to assess their current knowledge and ability levels. Instruction is then individually curated to meet the needs of each student. This often requires 1:1 instruction. Teachers are volunteers. Most are retired and offer their time for free. For the instructors, this must be a labor of love.
The funding, curriculum, and goals of the school are unique. Most of the funding comes from private donors. About 30% comes from the Ministry of Education. The school opened 7 years ago and just moved to a beautiful new campus that serves about 25 students. It is a boarding school where all of their basic needs are met. The curriculum includes reading, writing, history, language, and math education. I was told this was unique for a school of this type. The curriculum and school operate independent of direct government oversight, though they do report data to the Ministry of Unification. The primary goal of the school is to help these students develop the social and technical skills necessary to carve out a productive and fulfilling life in South Korean society. The staff made it plain this process can be very difficult. As students progress through the program and prepare to leave, they can choose to pursue one of three certifications: a 1 year technician certificate, a 2 years “engineering degree” (which they compared to an associate’s degree), and a 4 year bachelor's degree in coordination with other local colleges. We were told none of these degrees are officially recognized, but the later two paths create some opportunities for students to apply for traditional, accredited universities. It seems such cases were rare.
Services and financial assistance continue after they leave the school. The university works with select employers to offer job placement. One particularly important employer of these students is himself a North Korean defector. Housing and other assistance is offered. A student is not considered “graduated” until they find a spouse, marry, and start a family. The program offers help with the wedding. Even with all of this assistance, many students struggle to hold down a job and fully integrate into society. There are many obstacles to overcome, but the good work of schools like Haesol give people a chance at a fulfilling life.
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