Education Fever and Academic Rigor: Investigating the Dynamics of South Korea’s Learning Process and Evaluation Systems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70214/yxdfc368Keywords:
Academic Rigor, Education Fever, Evaluation System, Learning Culture, South KoreaAbstract
South Korea is widely recognized for its high academic performance and strong educational culture. One of the most distinctive characteristics of its education system is the phenomenon of education fever, which reflects a strong societal emphasis on academic achievement and educational success. This study aims to examine how education fever influences learning processes, evaluation systems, and broader educational practices in South Korea. The research employs a qualitative literature review by analyzing peer-reviewed journal articles, academic books, and institutional reports published within the last ten years. The findings indicate that education fever is shaped by the interaction of cultural values, education policies, and social expectations related to upward social mobility through education. The highly competitive university admission system, particularly the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), intensifies academic competition among students. In addition, the expansion of shadow education institutions such as hagwon demonstrates the substantial investment made by families to improve students’ academic performance. While this system contributes to South Korea’s strong educational outcomes, it also raises concerns regarding academic pressure and potential educational inequality
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