Educational Problems and Improvement on Ulleungdo Islands in Korea

Abstract

Islands have ecological value and play roles such as maritime boundaries and territorial protection, but their economic outlook is not bright, and above all, improving residential conditions is difficult due to their aging and declining populations. Education on islands is worse than some of their other underdeveloped sectors. Therefore, this study investigated the current status of education and improvement plans for the island of Ulleungdo, South Korea. According to a survey of 327 of its residents, school education played an important role in finding employment, and the most frequent response was that the number of experts in charge of education on Ulleungdo was insufficient. The measures suggested for improving lifelong education were developing and distributing programs and strengthening the professionalism of educators. To solve the educational problems on Ulleungdo, we suggest the following: develop educational programs for parents, offer career experiences for youths and young adults, establish Ulleung County People’s University, and support learning clubs.