Is Real Learning Happening at Private Institutes?... 27% of High School Students Say They Sleep During Class

27% of Students Sleep or Engage in Unrelated Activities During Class
Uniform Education Cited as a Cause
"Content and Teaching Methods Must Change"

South Korea has the lowest rate of chronic absenteeism among member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), but the level of active classroom participation among attending students is relatively low, according to a recent analysis. Experts point out that a complex mix of factors—such as an entrance exam-focused education system, uniform teaching methods, and declining student motivation—calls for comprehensive changes in the overall education system.

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According to the Korea Educational Development Institute (KEDI) report, "Classrooms Where Attendance Does Not Lead to Growth," published on June 11, the proportion of Korean students who were absent from school for three months or more in 2022, as measured by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), was 2 percent—significantly lower than the OECD average of 7.6 percent.

The main issue is that attendance is not translating into active classroom engagement. According to a Ministry of Education survey, 27.3 percent of high school students reported that they tend to sleep during class, while 19.2 percent said they engage in activities unrelated to the lesson. Notably, the rate of sleeping in class among general high school students was 28.6 percent—more than 10 percentage points higher than that of autonomous private high schools (17.9 percent), foreign language high schools (13.1 percent), and science high schools (14.3 percent).

Some analyses suggest that meaningful learning has already shifted outside of schools. According to the "2025 Survey on Private Education Expenses for Elementary, Middle, and High School Students," the participation rate in private education reached 75.7 percent, with students spending an average of 7.1 hours per week on private tutoring.

There has also been an increase in students dropping out for strategic reasons, such as concerns about university entrance prospects if their grades are poor. The high school dropout rate rose from 1.1 percent in 2020 to 2.1 percent in 2024. Of those who dropped out, "other" reasons—including preparation for the qualification exam or alternative education—accounted for the largest share at 68.8 percent.

Most dropouts were concentrated in the first year of high school, and a significant portion of students choosing the qualification exam as an alternative pathway were high-achieving test-takers. By region, this trend was especially pronounced in areas with intense academic competition, such as Seocho-gu (2.3 percent) and Gangnam-gu (2.2 percent).

In response, some experts argue that schools should be redefined as spaces for both "learning and growth." It is also recommended that teaching methods move away from lecture-based, concept-delivery classes and shift toward discussion, project-based, and collaborative learning. Furthermore, the value of learning through independent thinking and activities—such as reading, reflection, and inquiry—should be restored.

Min Yoonkyung, Director of Research Planning at KEDI, stated, "A social consensus must first be reached that schools are not just a checkpoint for entrance exam preparation, but spaces where genuine learning and growth take place."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.