As graduation day approaches, North Korean students are busily preparing gifts for their homeroom teachers. While the custom of giving graduation presents has taken root in North Korea, it remains a source of considerable criticism and discontent.
A source in South Pyongan province told Daily NK recently that graduating students at a high school in Pyongsong city are scrounging up money for graduation presents.
It has long been customary in North Korea for students graduating from elementary, middle and high schools to give presents to their homeroom teachers.
In the North Korean school system, homeroom teachers stay with the same group of students for several consecutive years. Graduating students buy presents to show their gratitude to homeroom teachers who have taught and cared for them over this extended period.
North Korean students are essentially expected to give a present to their homeroom teacher regardless of their actual feelings of gratitude.
“Some students complain about this expectation, but the general atmosphere makes it difficult to strongly object,” the source said.
Homeroom teachers take it for granted that they will receive presents from their graduating class. Some teachers even slip the class president an unofficial list of desired items or gift types.
“Teachers don’t make direct requests, but they often hint at what they want. For example, they might mention their old TV consumes too much electricity, their rice cooker is too old to make tasty rice, or their child needs a voice recorder for college classes. They speak indirectly but their message is clear,” the source said.
Graduation gifts for teachers are expensive items, including televisions, rice cookers, voice recorders, or fabric for suits.
Given the young age of elementary and middle school students, their parents typically cover these expenses. However, high school students often raise money for graduation presents themselves without parental help, the source said.
“High school students generally consider it embarrassing to ask parents for money. Students from poorer families save up by carrying goods at markets or selling small pieces of coal. Parents find this situation frustrating to witness,” the source said.
Parents have grown critical of this custom since it places a financial burden on both students and families.
“One Pyongsong parent who gave a present to their child’s homeroom teacher noted that while Pyongsong is known as a trading city, not many households are wealthy. The parent said managing this expense isn’t easy,” the source said.
“These graduation presents originally expressed appreciation to teachers who dedicated themselves to students despite receiving minimal rations or salary from the government. But now the presents have become an obligation,” the source added.
The source admitted that “despite significant discontent from students and parents, this practice isn’t likely to disappear.”
March 13, 2025 at 12:04PM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)