Jeju night school students work 'under the lamplight'
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Jeju night school students work 'under the lamplight'
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For adults with a strong desire to continue their studies, there is Deungha School in Jeju City

Every night from Monday to Saturday, two teachers and about 10 students meet in a small classroom in Jeju City. The school opens only at night, and the students cannot necessarily be described as young. Some are much older than their volunteer teachers.

These part-time educators have jobs during the day; one is a businessman, another a bookstore clerk; another is a soldier; another a journalist. While some are secondary school or academy (hagwon) teachers, most have backgrounds in other fields.

Established on Oct. 18, 1992, Deungha, which means “under the lamplight,” was registered as an official lifelong educational facility in 2003. In total, around 300 students and 98 teachers have passed through its hallowed halls, and currently 22 students and 17 on-call teachers make up the two shifts of nightly classes.

The school’s purpose is to support its students’ life-long studies, as well as prepare them to pass a state qualification exam, which is the equivalent of completing a high school degree. The exam is administered twice a year in April and August, with usually around 400 Jeju citizens applying to take it. So, to correspond with the exam, Deungha has two terms, starting from May and September.

So far, 148 students have graduated from the school by passing the exam. Most of the students, whose ages range from 20 to over 60, were unable to gain an education during their childhood for family reasons but yet still wish to earn a high school education. So after finishing the day’s work, they head to Deungha School where they can study at night.

Usually 20 students are registered at the school at any one time, and 10 to 15 of them take lessons regularly. Female students are usually housewives while males hold down jobs. About half of the students pass the examination. The 50 percent pass rate is caused by the students’ work and day pressures.

Of those who enter university after passing the state exam, some find new jobs concerning their major. For example, Lee Yeong Mi, who used to be a homemaker, graduated from the Social Welfare Department of Jeju College of Technology and is employed as a social worker for a sanatorium. Jeong Seong Il, who was working as forklift driver, enrolled in the Civil Engineering Department at the same school and is now a civil engineer in Busan. He is now preparing for the civil engineer certification examination.

A total of 17 teachers are in charge of subjects ranging from Korean to Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, English, and others. Once a week, they come to the school. Principal Kang Jae Heung first heard of the school in 2000. “I accidentally saw the announcement for a social studies’ teacher recruitment of this school. I majored in International Trade so I applied without hesitation.”

Teacher Kim Chang Jin, a vice principal of Daykey High School, started at the school 18 years ago. “Sometimes I feel like I came here not to do voluntary work but to learn values and get lessons from the students, who have young and warm hearts,” said Kim.

“Whenever I teach here, I release the stress from a week of day work. I always feel proud of being a member of the Deungha, because I can help those who need me. Our efforts will come to fruition, helping each student become a leading member of society.” Students usually stay anywhere from a few months to three years and each of them have a special story of their own. Kim said, “I never forget Yang Myeon Rye, 71 years old when I met her in 2006. Even though she was very old, she became the oldest successful applicant of the state examination, with just two months of study. She is now studying at the Korean Language and Literature Department of the Korean National Open University. Her story reminds us of the truth that age is possible to overcome in learning.”

Another teacher Kim Gyeong Jin, who has been working there for nine years, said “I cannot mention the name of an old woman who took my lesson a few years ago. To my regret, I thought that she seemed like she would never pass the examination because she had too much trouble in mastering English. However, after her diligent study with me for three years, a miracle happened and she made it. I felt so moved and appreciated her effort.”

The school doesn’t charge students tuition and all of its teaching materials, public relations, and rent, is supported with 18 million won a year from the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and the Jeju Provincial Office of Education, according to the Principal Kang. Also, they hold fundraising events every other year, where the teachers and their acquaintances are invited.

Even though the school’s financial situation is the best it has ever been, it still has difficulties. Due to rent costs, the school has had to move five times so far, making the establishment of their own building one of the school’s main goals.

Kang said that Deungha school has another future dream, which is to be certified as an official alternative school that accommodates adolescents who did not complete their formal studies. Current regulations allow alternative schools to grant students a formal diploma.

Now the students are preparing for the forthcoming exam in August. Every night, except for Sunday, the students and teachers can be found studying together by lamplight at the Deungha School.


Deungha School
1167-1 Ido 2-dong, Jeju City, near the Miracle Library
If you would like to volunteer or send in a donation, call 064-756-8029  <Jeju Weekly>

<Kim Jung Lim  supuleit@jejuweekly.comJeju Weekly All rights reserved>


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