As we have been learning more about the school systems in Korea two aspects of the education system stood out to me right away: the significant investments in the classrooms students are learning in and the food students eat. Seeing people in a school kitchen actually cutting vegetables, boiling vats of broth and taking pride in what they are feeding children in a brightly colored school filled with art is a reminder of what schools can be when communities fully invest and believe in what their schools are doing.
In my opinion, food and what a school looks and feels like are undervalued in the United States as many school districts partner with large agricultural conglomerates to feed children while communities struggle to pass bonds to update aging schools. This results in many students across the country eating unhealthy and heavily processed meals during the day in a setting that is more often than not beige and can vary widely from school to school based on the neighborhood it is located in. When we visited the Ministry of Education, they mentioned that they had a mission to update every school in the province to be more well-lit and include features like environmentally-friendly wood paneling which not only looks nice, but adds a pleasant scent to the classroom as well. This has not only resulted in the schools looking nice for students and teachers, but also ensures that regardless of whether the school is located in a rural or urban setting that students can see the investment that is being put into their education.
While I do believe that my district, Lincoln Public Schools, has done a fine job at ensuring that even its oldest schools look nice and up-to-date, schools in the United States have a long ways to go in terms of making sure students are eating meals that have actual nutritious value for students rather than the cheapest available option. It was also incredible to see that in Korea, these fresh meals that are prepared at the school are available at no cost to children, while the United States just let its national free lunch program expire. During a time of inflation, economic uncertainty as the pandemic continues and with many families having to start repaying student loans next month, this decision creates another barrier for families who will have to focus more on their budget than how their kids are performing in school.
The United States seems to have lost a lot of the ambition it once had in investing in projects for the public good. From public transportation, to parks, to schools and even down to what it feeds its youngest citizens, I believe many Americans would advocate for stronger investments in these services if they could all personally experience how much of a difference that investment makes for everyone in society.
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