The Education System in North Korea

In North Korea, education is not merely a system of learning — it is one of the regime’s most important tools of social control. From kindergarten to doctoral studies, every stage of schooling is designed to instill absolute loyalty to the Kim dynasty and reinforce state ideology. It is a system that leaves no room for independent thinking. This is a detailed overview of how education works in the world’s most closed-off country.

The Education System in North Korea – From Childhood to Doctorate

North Korea (the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) is one of the most isolated states in the world, where every aspect of citizens’ lives — including education — is strictly controlled by the authorities. The educational system fulfils not only a didactic role, but above all an ideological one. Its purpose is to shape attitudes of unconditional loyalty to the leadership and strengthen the regime’s propaganda narrative.

Below is a comprehensive overview of North Korea’s education system, from early childhood to doctoral studies.

Preschool Education

Education begins with kindergarten, which is compulsory from the age of four. Kindergartens are divided into two groups: younger (ages 4–5) and older (5–6). The programme includes:

• basic skills such as reading, writing, and counting,
• artistic activities,
• daily ideological instruction.

Even at this early stage, children learn songs praising Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un, watch propaganda films, and participate in activities aimed at building loyalty to the state.

Primary School (4 years)

The first stage of compulsory education lasts four years. While the curriculum includes typical subjects such as:

• Korean language,
• mathematics,
• natural sciences,

the primary goal remains political indoctrination.

Propaganda in the curriculum

History and ideology

• History is taught strictly according to the state narrative, with the United States and Japan presented as eternal enemies.
• The Kim dynasty is portrayed as the saviour of the nation.
• The biographies of the leaders occupy a significant portion of the programme.

Daily indoctrination

• Students recite political slogans and sing songs praising the leaders.
• They study propaganda texts and learn to argue the “superiority of socialism.”
• Children are encouraged to report any “antisocialist” behaviour, even within their own families.

Political activities

• Participation in mass celebrations and ceremonies is mandatory.
• Children are prepared to join the Kim Il Sung Children’s Union.
• Basic military-style training is introduced early.

Summary: Primary education aims primarily to shape a worldview aligned with state ideology.

Lower Secondary School (6 years)

At this stage, students study general subjects, but the way they are taught always reflects state ideology.

1. General subjects and foreign languages

• Mathematics, physics, chemistry, literature, Korean language.
• Foreign languages (Russian, Chinese, occasionally English).
• Literature classes focus mainly on works glorifying the Kim dynasty.

2. Juche ideology and the cult of the Kims

• Intensive study of texts written by Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un.
• Emphasis on the “superiority of self-reliance” as the core national philosophy.

3. Propaganda and indoctrination

• Daily propaganda lessons and state-produced films.
• Discussion of current events strictly in line with the official narrative.
• Ideological examinations.

4. Discipline and social control

• Students monitor each other and submit reports to teachers.
• Informing is considered a civic duty.
• Misconduct can lead to punishment of entire families.

5. Preparation for military service and work

• Basic military training.
• Mandatory physical labour in agriculture and construction.
• Preparation for joining youth organisations linked to the Workers’ Party.

Upper Secondary School (2 years)

After six years of lower secondary school, students choose between two paths:

1. General secondary schools

• For students planning to enter university.
• Strong emphasis on academic subjects, but ideological content remains mandatory.
• Promising students are selected for future careers in politics or administration.

2. Technical and vocational schools

• Training for work in industry, agriculture, transport, and the military sector.
• Many practical classes take place in factories and workplaces.
• Political education remains a core element.

Control and discipline

Regardless of the chosen path:

• students attend party meetings,
• participate in propaganda marches,
• prepare either for military service or state-assigned employment.

Higher Education

Only the most talented — and loyal — students are allowed to pursue higher education.

The most important universities include:

• Kim Il Sung University in Pyongyang — the elite institution for future political leaders,
• Kim Chaek University of Technology — specialising in science and engineering,
• Pyongyang Medical University — training future doctors.

Even at the university level, ideology and the cult of the leader remain central parts of the curriculum.

Doctoral Studies

Doctoral programmes are reserved for students who excel academically and prove their political loyalty.

• Research topics must serve the state’s interests.
• Projects often focus on military technologies, agriculture, or medicine.
• Academic work must include ideological references.
• A doctoral degree is more political prestige than scientific merit.

Propaganda at every level

No stage of education is free from ideology. Textbooks in all subjects — even mathematics — often incorporate propaganda examples. Education serves to maintain the regime’s narrative and produce citizens fully devoted to the state.

Conclusion

North Korea’s education system is not a neutral institution of learning but a powerful tool of ideological control. From kindergarten to doctoral studies, it shapes citizens according to the regime’s expectations and eliminates space for independent thought. Although the country develops certain technical and medical fields, the primary purpose of education remains the preservation of the Kim dynasty’s authority and the creation of a fully obedient society.