By Lee Hyo-sik
A growing number of students here are dropping out of school as they face difficulties adjusting to school life. Additionally, divorce and other family-related problems make it harder for students to stay in school, and many run away from home.
The Seoul Metropolitan Board of Education said Monday that a total of 16,255 elementary, middle and high school students in Seoul stopped studying in 2009, or an average of 44 students per day. The board compiled the data submitted by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.
By school, 5,132 elementary school pupils quit last year, with 5,324 middle and 5,799 high school students discontinuing their education. Nearly 28 percent of the high school students were found to have dropped out because of violence and other problems.
About 15.1 percent of high school students did not attend classes because they ran away from home. Around 86.6 percent of them, or 5,021, voluntarily left school, while 8.9 percent, or 519, were expelled.
The education board pointed out that the authorities and schools are inadequately prepared to deal with the surging number of dropouts. District education offices across the country operate a “Wee Center” to help schools run “Wee” classes, designed to help problematic students deal with their troubles and study better.
At the “Wee Center,” a professional consultant gives guidance not only to students but also to parents to help them overcome difficulties involving school life.
But only 105 schools out of 1,247 in Seoul offered the “Wee” classes last year, with just 4.1 percent of total students attending just one such class. A counselor at one of the “Wee” centers in Seoul said the center currently cannot offer counseling at all schools within its district because it is severely understaffed.
A member of the Seoul Metropolitan Board of Education said schools should make an all-out effort to slash the number of dropouts, adding more tailored counseling services should be offered. “If schools cannot meet the needs of students on their own, they need to hire professional counseling service providers.”