This CP reporter visited the Bell International School, an alternative school, which is located in Nonsan-si, the suburbs of Daejeon, and had an interview with Principal Lee Honh-nam and Vice Principal Jo Jae-hyun.
1. There are some universities that follow the standardpattern of entrance examination for alternative schools. How is going to affect Bell International School's result?
For example, Handong Global Universityhas carried out the entrance examination for alternative schools. 36 students of our school, Bell International School, graduated this year. Two students passed the requirements of our sister university in the U.S.A. and 7 students were admitted to Handong Global University. Other students also succeeded in the entrance examination to various universities. So, all of our graduates went on to enter university.
2. This CP reporter thinks many students want to apply to Bell International School because of its good result. Do you have any special way to accept students?
Bell International Schoolreceives 100 students. Recent competitive rate is about 2:1. This rate will be higher because students have increasing interest about the alternative school. We select the top thirty percent of the applicants' grade and have a test. Also, smoking is absolutely prohibited in Bell International School. So we conduct an examination ofter urine suddenly when we select students to sort out those who are smokers.
3. What is the educational ideology and purpose of Bell International School?
Bell International Schoolis not a record-centered school like other schools. Our school is an educational institution that molds humane human beings. Our purpose is also to cultivate human students. Since being human is paramount to anything else, students study and enter society. We attach great importance to human nature. If the cases of theft or bullying happened in school, all class of school would be stopped. That is, students cannot study without honest humanity. These ways cannot be seen in existing institutional schools and also cannot be followed. Many people ask for the students' record and entrance to university and judge its value on that only, but there are problems in these values. We value human nature above everything else. We think that there would be no problem if a student failed to enter university since the student became a humane human being after graduation. The students can enter university later through re-examination. A student who is not humane cannot grow higher, even if he or she entered first-class university. We think that graduates who became human can be more excellent people any time through their efforts and conviction.
4. Korean parents' educational enthusiasm is the best in the world. Were there cases that parents suggest dissatisfaction about the school's education?
Of course, parents have much interest about education. However, when the students entered Bell International School, their parents have to write a pledge. The written promise has the parents' oath to be not concerned about the students' record. Bell International School absolutely does not send grade sheets during 3 years. To express complaint or dissatisfaction means departing from our school.
5. Do students of Bell International School take other private educations? How are students' lives in school?
Students of Bell International School find it hard to have other types of private education. They have no time to do such and are busy to be devoted to their school classes. Every student lives in a dormitory and we take not only the same curriculum with other schools but also various education including music, art, physical education, and so on. Students who entered Bell International Schoolcan play more than one music instrument, do Taekwondo greater than 1 level, and be able to draw great pictures. Also, children can raise humanity through entertainment and play freely with a teaching approach that supplements learning. Bell International School sometimes sends students for learning to foreign countries such as China, Philippines, and so on. Also, students can experience various learning such as riding horses and even light aircraft, and so on.
6. What was your motivation which encouraged you to found such a school? Do you have any difficulties?
I have studied about education for over 10 years before I established the Bell International School. I thought the existing education was too hard to teach students any more. So I had studied and prepared the curriculum for 10 years and my efforts have come to fruition through the Bell International School. Vice Principal of our school worked in public education during 20 years. He had the same mind with me for establishing Bell International School, so he resigned from that life, and went into educational business with me. He could not feel any pleasure and delight of education whilst in public education during his 20 years, but he felt them after just one year from the opening of Bell International School. There is nothing difficult. We founded the school after we had prepared carefully and ensured we had a certain curriculum. So we do not move away from that. However, we find it hard when people and this country do not admit that this is a great school.
7. Teacher's role and their form are also important. How do you organize your team of teachers?
We decide upon teachers after reviewing all of our applications, and they stay in a camp for training over a certaineducational way during some months. Now, we still educate teachers and they practice and improve their abilities with students. Surely, teachers have to take their teacher's license and have a special sense of duty.
8. Finally, please give advice to Chundaeites.
Knowledge is important, but human being is more important. So I wish Chungdaeites have wisdom rather than knowledge. Have a health body and mind. Do your best during 4 years, and you will be a competent person who proceeds towards the world as a whole. Chungdaeites are cool!
By Hwang Hyun-mo CP Reporter
catplease@cnu.ac.kr