All of the students are busy in Korean Minjok Leadership Academy not because of term tests, quizzes, and homework but because of an upcoming concert in November 19th – the Minjok Music Concert. They use their meal time and sometimes even self study periods in order to practice for the concert. To practice and perform in front of almost 1400 people is a thrilling, exciting and an unique experience. However, what most of the students are complaining about is not the concert itself, but it’s main purpose – building the girl’s dormitory. The reasons why students are against the school’s plan are because of the inefficiency and unnecessary separation it would bring.
To begin with, building another dormitory would end up causing further inefficiencies. After the girls’ dormitory is newly built, the school would have to manage two dormitories. This would mean that they would have to operate two cafeterias, more laundry machines, and would need more dormitory parents. Doing so would cost the school more money to manage the dormitories, which would hinder the essential remodeling or renovation of other parts of the school. Also, because the students are separated into two groups in the campus, controlling students would be more demanding– one small mistake may cause great confusion among the students. These great inefficiencies highly overweigh relatively small advantages students might have after building another dormitory.
Next, separating the dormitory would bring inessential separation among students. If the girls and boys live in different building, which takes about 10-minute-walk to get to one from another, it would be unrealistic for the boys and girls to work together. This would mean that even homework, projects, or MPT(Minjok Peer Tutoring) which need collaboration among students would be only limited to same genders. Corporation of unique characteristics of each gender in group works would be impossible, and students would never be able to learn from different genders, which would interrupt the students’ learning opportunities. Also, since students would be strictly separated when out-of-class, it will be more difficult for the students to learn the different perspectives of each gender. This would take away the advantages of KMLA being a coeducational school. Complete separation of boys and girls seems to be somewhat an outdated idea.
KMLA advocates the Korean tradition; all the students wear Hanbok, the Korean traditional clothes, many students learn Korean traditional instruments, and students take classes in the Korean traditional houses. As it is stated in the school’s motto, becoming a global leader with ‘Korea in heart and world in mind’ is the students’ ultimate goal. However I don’t think this necessary to follow every traditional aspect, such as extreme distinction between genders, in order to become a true leader. Flexibility between the traditional concept and the widespread idea- that all the genders are equal and should work together- is also important. Building another dormitory for the girls would cause more side effects than expected. I believe this issue should be dealt with great sincerity and carefulness, instead of a one-sided decision of the school board.
I agree on many points. Mostly on how far away the girls dorm is, and the seeming impracticality. But it looks like the plan is to essentially "get bigger" more than anything. Seems like a big uphill battle that would take a ton of work and growing pains. I like the size of the school now, so more students seems a bit strange to fathom.
답글삭제Good post - Minjok Herald?