More Vocational Schools Planned
By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
The government will set up vocational ``Meister schools’’ to help nurture technicians, beginning 2010. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology announced Thursday it had designated 20 high schools as Meister schools, and next year will transform 30 more vocational high schools into those specialized in educating technicians.
The schools will focus on fostering vocational technicians rather than scientists.
``Meister schools will have strong ties with many companies, and students at the schools will definitely have more advantages in landing jobs,’’ said Seo Myung-beon, a general director at the ministry.
A Meister school will receive 2.5 billion won ($2.5 million) annually in subsidies from the government, while students will not be charged tuition fees and dormitories will also be free. Additionally, the schools will feature field education learning from famous technicians and craftsmen in small-sized classes accommodating less than 20 students.
``Many vocational schools have to become Meister schools. But we will only select highly recognized ones,’’ he added.
Students at the schools will be able to delay compulsory military duties for four years after landing jobs. Currently, vocational high school graduates who don’t advance to university have to do their military service immediately.
The 20 selected schools will recruit students from 2009. There are about 702 vocational high schools across the country, accounting for 33 percent of all high schools.
The project is in line with the diversification of schools, one of President Lee Myung-bak’s election campaign promises.
Meister schools are expected to help tackle the problem of the decreasing numbers of students attending vocational high schools and will also help overcome the financial difficulties of schools committed to nurturing technicians.