The testing culture nobody cares about

The testing culture in Korea is ridiculous.

People from the US, educators included, get sick of hearing how bad education is. We all know how bad the inner cities of America are, just watch 'Waiting for Superman'. Or better, visit an inner city school.

In Korea, people will talk abut it over a beer, but very few people will go on record for fear of losing their job, repercussions, etc. However, I can usually get students to talk freely about it. I find the longer the conversation goes on, the more they end up feeling bad about this place. Think about it: can't really openly participate in class once middle school hits, school until very late once high school rolls around, then by the time they get to university they've literally been schooled to death. (If you haven't live here, you don't know about it, and don't listen to what Obama says about S. Korea on education, he doesn't know either.) Who the hell wants to think about that, let alone talk about it, especially when 99.9% know deep down that it will never change. If teachers here were really nations builders, why would parents rely so heavily on supplemental private education ('hagwons' in Korea) to prepare there children for the university entrance exam?

Am I a fool to think real positive change is actually possible within the next 10 years? Can real creativity be installed in the hgih school classroom environments here? Or will the masses always just be focused on the Su-neung, and the rest of the certification tests that big business has conquered?

Keep the faith.