韓末 興化學校에 관한 一考察

Abstract

Honghwa School was a private school with the longest history which was founded by Koreans. Honghwa School was founded under initiative of MIN, YOUNG-HWAN on Nov. 5, 1898. Recognizing importance of education during the period of enlightenment and for progress of Chosun Dynasty he founded a private school with a level of a middle school education. At first 3 years' ordinary course and 2 years' advanced course were established for daytime and night-time and curricula included geography, history, rhetorics, gymnastics etc. as well as English and mathematics. What is noteworthy in this connection is the fact that Honghwa School was founded in Taegu and Andong of the Kyungbuk region famous for its conservatism. Honghwa School opened the short course for learning survey thus it had totally 3 courses including ordinary course, special course and survey course and from 1905 English and Japanese course were added. Since 1906 advanced ordinary course education was implemented. For foundation of the school KIM, SHIN YOUNG, former magistrate of kun-office made a considerable contribution but since then MIN, YOUNG HWAN had been in complete charge for financial support for the school. Until the time of November 1905 and before martyrdom difficulty for the school. Since then it suffered from financial trouble therefore Emperor and others from different walks of society joined for providing support. From September 1906 tuition fee was collected and there were donations from government office and regional organizations too. However in 1908 with the proclamation of 'Regulation for private schools and in 1909 proclamation of rule for collecting donations' the school faced with financial difficulties and eventually the clan of MINs came to shoulder the financial burden for the school. In connection with curricula noteworthy fact was its emphasis upon education of English and Mathematics. Apart from subjects of geography, history and science in the advanced grades law, economy and science of statecraft etc. were taught. From the beginning the subjects of rhetoric and sports were emphasized but it seemed these subjects taught no more after 1907. Teachers were recruited from students who returned to Korea after studying in America, Europe and Japan and from other learned people and socially renowned people also involved as supporters for the school. Although educational data of the school can not be discovered it seemed students were taught under the principle of enlightenment and recovery of sovereignty of the nation. In view of the fact its founder was MIN, YOUNG HWAN who killed himself in protest again signing Protective Treaty in 1905 under duress of Japanese and school events were taken place in the region related to MIN, YOUNG HWAN such direction in education is not hard to imagine. Honghwa School existed until October 1910 but by May 1912 it was no more in existence. 'statistical Prospectus of Korean Private School' which was compiled by investigation by Bureau of Educational Affairs, Minister of Interior, Japanese Government-General in Korea showed classification of private schools by different provinces but in this Prospectus the name of Honghwa School was not included. These data showed the status as of May 1912. For this reason it is very clear that Honghwa School was closed down in 1911 as reported. Although Honghwa School was not the first private school in the history of modern education in Korea but it was only school which was established in 1808 and closed down in 1911 thus operated for 10 years. It aimed to teach students course of middle school not primary school and had daytime and night-time courses. The subjects of English and Mathematics were emphasized and also showed continuous interest not only in modern Western learning but also in traditional Korean culture. On the basis from such fact Honghwa School is believed as laying down a typical example as a predecessor for other Korean private schools thereafter which appeared in rapid succession as a part of enlightenment movement for recovery of national sovereignty.