South Korea vs Senegal
Side-by-side comparison of how these places approach childhood.
South Korea
In South Korea, one exam at age 18 can shape a child's entire educational trajectory.
The Suneung exam is so high-stakes that planes are grounded, police escort latecomers, and the entire nation adjusts its schedule for test day.
Senegal
Senegalese children in Dakar practice wrestling (laamb) from the age they can walk.
Traditional wrestling is the national sport, and neighborhood training starts in toddlerhood with sand pits.
South Korea
Intensely competitive from elementary school onward. The public school day runs until 3-4 PM, but most students continue at private hagwon academies until 10 PM or later. South Korea spends more on private tutoring per student than any other OECD nation.
Senegal
Senegal's education follows the French model with a 6-4-3 structure. French is the medium of instruction despite most children speaking Wolof at home. Daara (Quranic schools) educate millions of children in parallel with or instead of formal schooling.
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