Here is a great
article that describes the intense pressure on Asian youths to excel academically.
While the article is about South Korea, the same picture happens all over Asia.
At 6:30 a.m, whistles pierced the dormitory as teachers strode down the hallways, shouting “Wake up!” Amid
cuckoo melodies and pop music, students climbed down from their beds and shuffled into a roll-call formation.
After a brief exercise in the playground, breakfast, coffee and brushing teeth, they reported to their
classrooms by 7:30, 30 pupils per class. In the back of each classroom there are a few music stands, for students who
want to study standing to keep from dozing.
“I snatch a nap between classes and during the lunch break,” said Chung, the student. Other boys wolf down their
food and race out to play soccer or basketball during the one-hour lunch break.
Another roll call comes at 12:30 a.m., when students can go to bed, unless they want to cram more, until
2:00 a.m.
The routine relaxes a little on Saturday and Sunday, when students are allowed to sleep an additional hour and
given two hours of free time when they can watch television or a movie, do laundry, sleep – or study.
Jongro gives students an optional two-night leave every three weeks.
Romance is strictly forbidden. In the hallways and classrooms are notices listing prohibited acts: conversations
between boys and girls that are not related to studying, exchanging romantic memos, or physical contact like hugging
and hooking arms. Punishment includes several days of cleaning the classroom or the restroom and even expulsion from
the school.
