Our society has made rapid progress since the latter half of the 20th century. However, we can not
lead a happy life with only development of science or economic rehabilitation alone. Social stability and
educated people are prerequisite to the happin...
Our society has made rapid progress since the latter half of the 20th century. However, we can not
lead a happy life with only development of science or economic rehabilitation alone. Social stability and
educated people are prerequisite to the happiness of life. That is why education of the people is very
important. As everyone knows, the teacher plays a leading role in the education. Among teachers,
elementary school teachers are in the key position, who are in charge of the foundation education of a
nation. Viewed in this manner, elementary school teacher education is keystone of social welfare.
Thus,this study is to explore the possible ways of improving elementary teacher education by
comparatively studying and analyzing the present curricula for elementary teacher education among
Southeast Asian nations.
The materials, which are collected from Korea, Japan, Republic of China, Thailand, Khmere, and
Singapore, are not enough but up-to-date.
n Korea are as follows ;
1. Improvement of the system
(1) Prolongation of learning year
Two years is too short. Four-year or five-year college program should be made to improve the
quality of elementary school teachers.
(2) Scholarships and treatment
A large sum of scholarships should ba awarded to the students, and salary of the teacher should beraised to secure good teachers.
2. Reorganization of the curriculum
(1) Reorganization of general education
The contents should be directly related to life rather than to the system of disciplines.
(2) Reorganization of professional education
1) The following subjects should be required principle of Education, History of Education. Educational
Sociology, Child Development. Educational Psychology. Educational Administration, Educational
Measurement and Evaluation, Educational Research, Audio-Visual Education, and Library Science.
2) In methods of teaching, the discipline-centered approach should be emphasized to help the college
students understand basic concept, structure, and principles of the method.
3. Education for Practical teacher
As in case of Japan, one of three subjects (Music, Art, and Physical Education) should be elected, or
special courses for music teachers, art teachers, and physical education teachers should be established
as in case of Republic of China.