1. Purpose of Education

The purpose of education in the Republic of Korea, based on the philosophy of Hongik Ingan (broadly benefiting humanity), is to cultivate the character of all citizens and to help them develop the ability to live independently and the qualities required of democratic citizens. Through this, education aims to enable individuals to lead dignified lives and contribute to the development of a democratic society and the prosperity of all humankind.

2. The Ideal Human Character Pursued by the 2022 Revised National Curriculum

1. aSelf-directed individuals who establish their identity through holistic growth and independently develop their own career paths and lives
2. b Creative individuals who create new values through progressive thinking and challenges based on a broad range of foundational competencies
3. c Cultured individuals who appreciate and advance human culture based on cultural literacy and an understanding of diverse values
4. d Responsible democratic citizens who understand diversity, respect others, communicate with the world, and practice care, sharing, and cooperation based on a strong sense of community

3. Key Competencies of the 2022 Revised National Curriculum

1. a Self-Management Competency : The ability to live a self-directed life by establishing one’s identity and confidence, designing one’s own life and career, and developing the basic abilities and qualities necessary to achieve them
2. b Knowledge and Information Processing Competency : The ability to understand diverse knowledge and information in depth, critically explore them, and utilize them to solve problems rationally
3. c Creative Thinking Competency : The ability to create new ideas and values by integratively applying knowledge, skills, and experiences from various specialized fields based on a broad foundation of basic knowledge
4. d Aesthetic and Emotional Competency : The ability to reflect on and appreciate the meaning and value of life based on empathetic understanding of others and cultural sensitivity
5. e Collaborative Communication Competency : The ability to express one’s thoughts and emotions effectively while respecting and listening to others’ perspectives, and to achieve common goals through cooperative relationships
6. f Community Competency : The ability to actively and responsibly participate in the sustainable development of local, national, and global communities with open and inclusive values and attitudes

4. Curriculum Organization for the Three Grades of Gangbuk Middle School (2026 Academic Year)

1. a The middle school curriculum is organized into subjects (subject groups) and Creative Experiential Activities.
2. b The subject groups include Korean, Social Studies (including History) / Moral Education, Mathematics, Science / Technology & Home Economics / Informatics, Physical Education, Arts (Music / Fine Arts), English, and Elective Subjects.
3. c Schools may autonomously adjust the number of instructional hours within 20% of the allocated hours for each subject group and Creative Experiential Activities, reflecting the school’s characteristics and the needs of students, teachers, and parents.
4. d In order to reduce students’ academic burden and promote meaningful learning activities, the number of subjects taken per semester is limited to eight subjects or fewer. However, Physical Education, Arts (Music/Fine Arts), elective subjects, and subjects offered during school autonomous hours may be excluded from this limit.