What is education in your nation like? Is it free? How many people attend university?
Free education is guaranteed to all citizens under the age of twenty-one in the Jeongmian Constitution.
Competition is fierce in Jeongmi when it comes to education - the vast majority of students either attend private academies following immediately after public school hours end or hire private tutors to enhance their chances at entering a top university. The relative lack of social interaction and intense competition among students results in a high suicide rate among secondary school students. The difficulty of entering top Jeongmian universities also means that many decide to study overseas at high-ranking foreign universities, which some perceive as easier to get into, especially for students from wealthier families.
Over 90% of Jeongmian high school graduates attend college, and 68% of Jeongmians between the ages of 25-34 have at least a bachelor's degree, a much higher percentage than in other developed countries.
Pre-school education has been completely free since 1973, and parents are encouraged to send their kids to pre-schools. Due to their high take-up rate, pre-schooling is generally considered a normal part of schooling in Jeongmi despite it being optional.
The school year starts after winter break (different from province to province, usually early/mid March), and it divided into two semesters. There are typically 10 weeks of holidays in addition to public holidays. Exact dates differ between states, but there are generally 6 weeks of winter and two weeks of summer break. The other holiday periods are given in spring and autumn. Schools can also schedule three or four special days off per term.
Meals at school are offered freely. In 2013, spending on education amounted to 8.3% of the GDP. The government provides university students with cheap housing, although costs are generally higher for foreign students. The basic literacy rate is estimated to be well over 99% for those over the age of 15. By 2011, digital textbooks were successfully distributed to every primary, middle, and high school within the country.
Families whose children are at risk for low academic achievement may be visited by trained professionals. They offer a wide variety of services that relate to each child's and each family's background and needs. Such professionals may visit pregnant low-income women and talk with them about positive health-related behaviors, such as following a healthy diet or refraining from the use of alcohol or tobacco while pregnant. Positive health-related behavior may have a major impact on children's school performance.
