North Korea is trying to improve technical education in middle and high schools. However, there’s a big problem: most schools don’t have the basic facilities needed.
A source from South Hamgyong province shared that the education bureau started selecting schools for this initiative after a recent government meeting emphasized the importance of education. They wanted to focus on hands-on learning and practical experiments.
Unfortunately, inspections show that very few schools are ready for this program. The source said, “They checked many schools but found almost none with the right labs, practice areas, or teamwork spaces needed.”
This situation contradicts what Kim Jong Un stated during the meeting. He said education projects are extremely important and should receive the highest amount of government resources and support.
Conditions in North Korean schools are so poor that identifying suitable ones for the pilot program seems nearly impossible. For many schools, technical facilities exist only on paper. The source noted, “Science lab equipment just collects dust. Computer labs have a few machines but lack electricity.”
The divide between urban and rural schools is another issue. While the education bureau wants rural schools to participate, many lack the necessary resources. The source explained, “Only the largest rural schools have labs, and trying to close the gap in education quality between cities and the countryside is challenging.”
The source concluded, “While the goal to improve education is commendable, launching this program without real government support will just look good on paper. The government must lead the way with proper backing.”
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