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01Introduction to the Republic of Korea
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02Multicultural Families and Foreigner Support Services
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03Residence and Naturalization
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04Korean Culture and Life
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05Pregnancy and Childbirth
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06Education of Children
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07Health and Healthcare
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08Social Security System
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09Employment and Labor
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10References
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Chapter Introduction Video
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FAQ
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Status of family centers
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Current Status of Danuri Helpline
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Migrant Background Youth Support Foundation
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Current Status of Saeil Center (New Job Center for Women)
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Immigration Offices
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Major Tourist Destinations by Region
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Contact Numbers for Key Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Korea
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Guide to Personal Information Protection
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Danuri Call Center : 1577-1366
가족상담전화 : 1644-6621
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Elementary School Education
- Home
- Education of Children
- Elementary School Education
Elementary School Education
The elementary school curriculum lasts six years. The year following the day children turn six (equivalent to eight years old in Korean age. In Korea, children are one year old in his/her birth year and turn two from January 1 of the following year. For children born on December 31, 2016, they will turn two years old on January 1, 2017.) Their attendance in elementary school starts from March 1. However, students may enroll from the year following the day they turn five or seven years old. Elementary education is compulsory and free. Korean citizens must enroll their children in elementary school and ensure they attend until their graduation from it. If parents, who are Korean citizens fail to send their children to elementary school, a penalty fine may be imposed.
01Content of curriculum
Elementary school education focuses on developing basic habits and skills necessary for daily life and learning and cultivating good character. A 1-hour class is 40 minutes long. 1st and 2nd graders learn Korean, math, righteous living, wise living, and joyful living. 3rd to 6th graders learn Korean, social studies/morals, math, science/practical science, physical education, and arts (music/hands-on art), and English.
| 1st to 2nd Grade | 3rd to 6th Grade | |
|---|---|---|
| School subject | school subject (group) | main learning content |
| Korean, mathematics, good living habits, life for wisdom, joyful life | Korean | Listening speaking, reading, writing, grammar, literature |
| Social studies/Ethics | (Society) politics, laws, economics, social and geographical awareness, places and regions, natural environment and human life, human environment and life, sustainable world, general history, political and cultural history, social and economic history, (ethics) relationship with oneself, relationship with others, relationship with society and community, relationship with nature/supernatural | |
| Mathematics | Numbers and arithmetic, figure, measurements, regularity, continuity, data, probability | |
| Science/Domestic science | (Science) movement and energy, matter, life, earth and space, (domestic science) human development and family, family life and safety, resource management and self-reliance, technology system, technology applications | |
| Physical education | Health, challenge, competition, expression, safety | |
| Arts (Music/arts) | (Music) expression, appreciation, everyday life, (art) experience, expression, appreciation | |
| English | Listening, speaking, reading, writing | |
02Creative Experience Activities
Creative hands-on activities are extracurricular activities and consist of the four areas of autonomous activities, club activities, volunteer activities, and career activities (for 1st & 2nd graders, there are the three areas of autonomous/self-initiated activities, club activities, and career activities). These can be selectively organized and operated by grade (group), taking into account the level of development, school conditions, etc. The areas and activities of elementary school creative hands-on activities are as follows.
| 1st to 2nd Grade | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area | Activity | Operational focus |
| Autonomous/self-initiated activities |
| Developing the ability to solve various problems in life; Emotional and psychological stability & acclimation to early school admission & puberty; Enjoyable school life & hands-on, upfront activities on various subjects; Experience in communicating through the community, such as student self-initiated meetings & class meetings; Understanding and practicing the basic principles of democratic deliberation process |
| Extracurricular activities |
| Solving current & future problems through creative and convergent thinking; Undertaking various experiences, culture, arts, & sports programs; Physical activity and play that enrichs their lives; Sustainable environmental protection for the coexistence of humanity & the environment |
| Career activities |
| Forming a positive self-esteem/image; Career immersion to understand the importance of work; Exploring a diverse world of careers; Cultivating basic career knowledge |
| 3st to 6nd Grade | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item | Activities | Operational focus |
| Autonomous activities |
| Adaptation to school at the beginning of school, adolescent adaptation activities, understanding and practicing the basic principles of democratic decision-making various themed activities for a pleasant school life |
| Club activities |
| Talent discovery through various experiences and cultural activities, experiencing body sensory and direct manipulation, cultivation of fellowship and solidarity |
| Volunteer work |
| Understanding and practice of meanings and values of volunteer work |
| Career development |
| Forming positive self-concept, understanding importance of work, exploring jobs, and development of basic career skills, etc |
| Safe Life (Grades 1~2) |
| Helps lead a safe life by learning know-how and response actions in precarious situations in daily life |
03Guide to Elementary School Admission
(1)Eligibility for enrollment (for entering school)
Children who are a full 6 years of age are eligible to enroll at an elementary school in March of the following year.
This includes non-enrolled children from the previous year including those who postponed enrollment obligation and excludes children already at school due to early enrollment. - Those admitted as first graders in 2022: children born between 1/1/2015 and 12/31/2022
(2)Enrollment procedures for elementary school
Enrollment procedures for elementary school is as follows.
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- Prepare a list of children entering (by Oct. 31)
- Community service centers of town and village (eup, myeon, dong)
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- Apply for early admission or admission postponement
(between Oct. 1-Dec. 31) - Guardians
(such as parents)
- Apply for early admission or admission postponement
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- Notification for enrollment
(by Dec. 20) - Community service centers of town and village (eup, myeon, dong)
- Notification for enrollment
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- Preliminary summoning
- Elementary school
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- Enter school
- Elementary school
National or private elementary schools select students directly without going through the above admission procedure. Invitation periods for these schools may vary by school and/or region. If parents wish to enroll their children in a national or private elementary school, they must inquire directly to the school, or apply online via the school homepage.
- National elementary schools are affiliated elementary schools of universities or colleges of education.
A list of private schools may be obtained by inquiring at your local office of education.
(3)Early admission (enrollment), application for deferred admission
Parents who want early admission or delay in admission for their child must visit the local eup or myeon office or the community service center from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 annually to apply.
Subjects for early or deferred admission
- Early admission: children who are a full 5 years old in age and intend to gain early admission to an elementary school (a maximum of 1 year early admission is possible)
- In addition to the foregoing, those born between 1/1/2016 and 12/31/2016 were also accepted as first graders in 2022.
- Deferred admission: children who are a full 6 years old in age and intend to defer admission to an elementary school for a year.
- Parents were allowed to put off sending their children born in 2015 to school as first graders by one year.
- Early or deferred admission is a decision made by the parents that must be considered carefully.
(4)Admission of children who have difficulty going through the general admission process
Korea secures the right to receive education when the child reaches the age of admission to elementary school regardless of the child’s nationality or qualification to stay.
An applicant for admission applies to the head of the competent elementary school for the person’s residence by attaching documents to prove immigration or alien registration and documents to verify the student’s academic background*.
- Academic Supporting Document: a diploma, proof of enrollment, transcript, etc.
- A guide to admission·transfer of children for multicultural parents, ‘Sending my child to school’ booklet, is in 12 languages. You may download them at the Multi-cultural Education portal (www.edu4mc.or.kr) or request at the Multicultural Family Support Center.
04Preparing to Enter School
Entering school can be both a joyful and a stressful event for a child. At home, parents should encourage the child to prepare for school life with a joyful heart.
- Clothing (Garments) :
- Dress the student in plain and casual clothing that will make his or her school life comfortable before sending him/her to school.
- Backpack :
- The child's backpack should not be too big and should be easy for the child to carry. It is better to prepare a backpack that is simple and neat, rather than one that is too trendy or has complex patterns.
- Pencil, Pencil Case, and Eraser :
- A pencil case should be simple rather than complex, and cases that include games should be avoided. At the beginning of the school year, a 2B pencil (dark lead) is recommended. Prepare two or three pencils and one eraser. In the upper years, mechanical pencils are recommended.
- Notebook :
- Prepare a notepad for 1st-2nd graders. Prepare a home notice notebook and a general notebook in advance, and follow the guidelines of the classroom teacher regarding other notebooks (dictation notebook, home notice notebook, general book, etc.)
- Crayons and Color Pencils :
- 1st graders typically need about 12 colored crayons.
- Shoe Bag and Indoor Shoes :
- The shoe bag should be large enough to hold running shoes. There are many kinds of indoor shoes in colors such as pink, sky blue, etc. Avoid indoor shoes that are uncomfortable to walk in or are too big. Shoes can be bought in the shoe store or at the stationery shop in front of the school. No shoe bag is required if the student keeps his/her indoor shoes in a locker. practice how to arrange school supplies and his/her backpack, giving the child a sense of independence and autonomy (wash face, arrange things on own, know how to use the rest-room, etc.).
- Learn the school name and how to say it.
- Learn to write his/her own name and the names of family members.
- Study Korean consonants and vowels.
- Learn simple numbers (1-10)
- Learn how to use a pencil, crayons, scissors, and an eraser.
- Learn to draw circles, horizontal lines, and vertical lines with a color pencil.
- Learn the names of colors.
- Be able to distinguish his/her own things from those of others.
- Know his/her home address and phone number and how to make and receive calls.
- Learn basic table manners.
05Preparing Your Child for the Beginning of the School Year
Giving a Good Impression of School
- Some children may be afraid of school. For these children, let them know that school is a fun place by visiting the school and taking a tour around the 1st grade classrooms and other places.
- Tell them in advance about the rules to observe at school.
- Tell them that he/she can make many friends in school.
The Teacher: Helping your Child Navigate School Life
- Tell children that a teacher is someone who tells children what they want and need to know.
- Talk to your child about how to behave in the classroom (following rules, keeping promises, etc.)
Being Independent
- Give a list of objects to the child, and let him/her put them in the backpack in order. Have him/ her practice how to arrange school supplies and his/her backpack, giving the child a sense of independence and autonomy (wash face, arrange things on own, know how to use the rest-room, etc.).
Attend School in Good Health
- Get teeth, eyes, ears etc. checked, and receive treatment for any illness in advance.
- It is advisable to inform the classroom teacher in advance if the child has any food allergies or illnesses (milk allergy, atopic skin, enteritis, etc.)
Know the Safe Way to School
- If possible, it’s best to walk to school. Check the route to school a number of times.
- Make sure to walk on the left side of the road, use the crosswalk, and understand traffic signals in order to commute to school safely.
- If taking the bus, get on the bus in an orderly fashion.
- Don't walk in front of or behind the bus after getting off the bus.
- Cross the road using the overhead bridge or underground passage in areas where there's an overhead bridge or underground passage.
- Don't run on crosswalks.
- Follow the instructions of the crossing guard if there is one present.
- Get back on the curb if the crosswalk signal switches when you start to cross the street. Cross quickly if you are already beyond the center line.
After-school childcare and extracurricular learning services are provided on behalf of parents even outside of regular school hours. Also provided are after-school extracurricular/learning activities and homework guidance for elementary school students through extracurricular classes (elementary school), local children's centers, youth after-school academies, shared village care centers, and after-school childcare (childcare facilities). Families with financial difficulties can benefit from these organizations/institutions for free through consultations.
| Classification | Ministry of Education | Ministry of Health and Welfare | Ministry of Gender Equality and Family | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Name | Always Spring School ※ Support at the level of existing after-school and childcare operations for grades not eligible for intensive support in 2024-'25 | Community-Based Childcare Program | Local Children’s Center | Youth After-school Academy | |
| Target | Targeted elementary school student ※ Eligibility for annual intensive support (’24) 1st grade → (’25) 1st~2nd grade → (’26) All elementary school students | Children aged 6~12 | Children under age 18 | Grade Elementary 4 ~ Middle 3 | |
| Qualification (Income) | Targeted elementary school student (None) | Mainly for working parents (None) | Mainly for socially vulnerable group (Less than 100% national median income) | Priority for socially vulnerable in childcare | |
| Support Type | (’24) Customized 1st grade program provided free of charge for 2 hours every day (’25) 1st to 2nd grade of elementary school | Charged (Within KRW 100,000, actual expenses separate for snacks) | Free (Charges by income, within KRW 50,000) | Free | |
| Operating hours | During school term | In the morning before regular classes, until the desired time after regular classes (No later than 8 PM) | 14:00 ~ 19:00 | 14:00 ~ 19:00 | After school ~ 21:00 |
| During vacation | Autonomy according to conditions | 09:00 ~ 18:00 | 8 hours including 12:00 ~ 17:00 | Freely operated depending on conditions | |
| Supported Services | Providing quality customized programs | After-school care, programs, etc. | Protection, education, culture, emotional support, link to communities, etc. | Experiential activities, compensatory learning, meals, counseling, etc. | |
The e-learning center website provides contents in 1st year elementary to 3rd year middle school course contents that are compatible with school curriculum, teaching and learning materials, and exam questions for free. Students can study by themselves anywhere and teachers can open up an online class to use for online and offline lessons.
