Student Corner Parents Skeptical About Success of Korean School in Philippines
By Moon Ga-young
The Korean International School Philippines (KISP) opened this year with the help of the Korean government and the Korean Association in the Philippines. Last December, the school held a conference for parents and students.
About 30 parents attended the conference, where the faculty were introduced and a video was shown focusing on the school. The conference covered tuition fees, admissions, school days and the school uniform. There was a question and answer session for parents and the faculty talked about how they would reflect the demands of the parents and students.
The principal of the school, Kim Seong-mi, said, "Though the school is still small in size, I am confident that the quality of the education will be even better than expected." The principal urged parents to send their children there.
The school's motto is educating students to have a national identity and be bilingual. The programs that the school offers vary from Korean education programs to international programs. All students from elementary school to high school have to study social science, mathematics and science both in Korean and English. The rest of the subjects are taught in English and all the activities that students participate in are run in English. Moreover, for high school students, international programs such as IB, AP and SAT prep are offered.
Parents' responses to the conference were varied. Mr. Cho, 39, responded positively, saying he would send his child to the school. He said, "It is impossible for a child to be forced to learn the history of Korea and know their roots. I want my child to learn his roots naturally."
On the other hand, Mr. Seong, 39, had a different opinion. "Most children here have come to the Philippines to study English. I do not know if they can study both English and Korean. This is questionable." He is skeptical about whether the education the school offers is effective and will be helpful for his child's future.
Another parent was frustrated about the principal's attitude and the school programs. "I once considered sending my child to KISP but this school is neither a public school nor a private school. It has no merit for students. Not only that, I think there is no need to prepare for the SAT and other tests for my child. Studying for those does not help my child in going to the colleges in Korea. The principal seems to have based the curriculum more on the future. For me, what is important is now, at the present moment, what would be best for my child, not in the future. This conference showed me that the school won't be a good fit for my child and made me frustrated."
Parents are still unsure about sending their children to the school due to its financial problems. They are also concerned that their children may be used as guinea pigs for the development of the school. The school will start its first school year in March 2010.
Moon Ga-young is a 12th grade student attending Brent International School Manila in Manila, Philippines.