U.S. President Barack Obama Tuesday called for the United States to look to South Korea in adopting longer school days and after-school programs for American children to help them survive in an era of keen global competition, according to Yonhap News Agency Wednesday.
"Our children _ listen to this _ our children spend over a month less in school than children in South Korea every year," Obama told a gathering at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce here. "That's no way to prepare them for a 21st-century economy."
Obama made the remarks while emphasizing the need for sweeping reform of the U.S. education system for which he earmarked $41 billion out of the $787 billion stimulus package to cope with the worst recession in decades.
"We can no longer afford an academic calendar designed for when America was a nation of farmers who needed their children at home plowing the land at the end of each day," he said. "That calendar may have once made sense, but today it puts us at a competitive disadvantage."
The U.S. president called for Americans "not only to expand effective after-school programs but to rethink the school day to incorporate more time, whether it's during the summer or through expanded-day programs for children who need it."
Obama's remarks came as a surprise to many South Koreans as the country's education system has been under constant public criticism due to its lack of creativity and heavy dependence on private tutoring.
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jimbo1a (59.20.215.10)
03-12-2009 22:46
There was no error last November. McCain showed his lack of a brain when he picked that bimbo for VP. Times are going to be tough for a while. That mental midget Bush screwed this country big time, and got away with it. Look at all of the financial scandals that occured on his watch and he didn't even blind an eye. The man should be tried for treason.
jimbo1a (59.20.215.10)
03-12-2009 22:44
I also saw the rant from that mental midget Santelli on CNBC. I can't name one person on CNBC that has called this economy right, and that is their job. Can you imagine what would happen if we did our jobs like that? Christ, they are worse than weather men.
jimbo1a (59.20.215.10)
03-12-2009 22:44
Ezlife, I am amazed at how people expected Bam to correct 8 years of mismanagement (and that is being kind) over night. He has been in office less than two months. I saw that wimp Lindsey Graham on TV two weeks after the inaugaration talking about Obamas recession. What an asshole. The GOP got us into this mess and they better hope Bam can get us out because they have absolutely no answers. To them every problem should be answered by cutting taxes on the richest of people.
ezlife (70.56.98.94)
03-12-2009 21:53
Jimbo...a recent survy asking readers to grade Obama's first 50 days in office. 31% gave him an "A"......But, But, But.....34% gave him an "F". More and more people are realizing the error they made last Nov. When you get back to the States you will be shocked to learn how swiftly the euphoria of just a few months ago has vanished.
ezlife (70.56.98.94)
03-12-2009 21:51
jimbo.....when the US President treats it's number one ally, Great Britain, like a 3rd world country, that should tell you the mentality of this idiot. For God's sake, he gave the PM 25 dvd's as a gift for their first meeting, cancelled the joint press conference cause he couldn't have his telepromtor and knew G Brown would make him look like an imbecile without it. Spare me from this mental pygmy.
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