South Korean teachers report insufficient economic and entrepreneurship education

A survey conducted by the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) Entrepreneurship Development Institute reveals that a significant portion of South Korean teachers feel economic education in schools is insufficient. Approximately 64.5% of surveyed teachers believe current economic education does not meet student needs, despite 92.9% acknowledging its importance.

The study, which polled 1,078 elementary, middle, and high school teachers via the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations, found that 46.2% of educators do not fully understand the concept of entrepreneurship. The primary reason cited for this lack of knowledge was a lack of opportunities for related professional training within schools.

This knowledge gap impacts career guidance; while 54.9% of teachers are willing to recommend entrepreneurship or startups to students, those who lack understanding expressed hesitation due to their own inability to provide guidance. Conversely, teachers who had completed professional training in economics and entrepreneurship showed significantly higher awareness and a greater willingness to recommend startups to their students.