South Korea’s Education and Skills Development

Image:Flickr, Republic of Korea
Image:Flickr, Republic of Korea

The Global Best Practice series examines a number of case studies in various sectors, with the aim of assessing their potential applicability in the Africa developmental context.

This second report in the series looks at some lessons that Africa could learn from the South Korean experience. It questions the tendency for many to conclude that South Korea represents an unattainable level of success, something to which Africa could never aspire. The author argues that South Korea began from a very low base only four decades ago, with a per capita income that was below almost every African country in 1961. He goes on to say that it is not important to copy the details of any particular success story, but rather there is a need to digest the broad features and the spirit of what was achieved.

ISBN: 1-919969-30-6

The views expressed in this publication/article are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

18 Apr 2005