The same principle applies to special high schools as to science high schools: only the most talented students in any particular field( music, art, sport, dance, foreign languages) are admitted, partly based on the recommendation of the middle school principal or teacher. These schools have existed since 2002.
Senior secondary vocational education
Vocational high schools( 실업계 고등학교, Silopgye Godeung Hakkyo) offer a curriculum consisting of
general subjects plus a vocational component. Students can choose from the following specializations: agriculture, technology, trade, fishery, industry and home economics. The entrance requirement is
successful completion of the entrance examination( 실업계 고등학교 선발 제도Silopgye Godeung Hakgyo Sunbal Chedo). The nominal duration of the programme is 3 years, at the end of which the Silop Godeung Hakgyo Jolupjang( 실업계 고등학교 졸업, or Vocational High School Certificate) is
awarded. This certificate allows candidates to take the entrance examination for higher education, but only a small percentage of students wish to do so, and only a fraction of those succeed.
In terms of level, the Vocational High School Certificate( 실업계 고등학교 졸업장, Silop Godeung
Hakgyo Jolupjang) is comparable in the Netherlands to an MBO diploma at qualification level 2 or 3, depending on the specialization.
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