Different approaches to music education in Turkey and South Korea: A review and evaluation within the context of the human development index

Turkey was determined to be in a better condition compared to South Korea in accordance with the Gross National Product data as of 1980; however pursuant to the data as of 1990 it was concluded that South Korea has taken precedence over Turkey in terms of Gross National Product and per capita income. Education reforms and development policies are considered to have played a significant role in South Korea's achievements in the field of economic development. This research aims to examine music education curriculums and the educational approaches implemented in Turkey and South Korea within the scope of compulsory education curriculum between 1990-2019 as well as the economic development of countries from the perspective of educated human awareness. Music education curriculums implemented in Turkey and South Korea, formal education institutions offering music education, Gross Domestic Product, budget figures allocated to the Ministries of Education and Human Development Index of two countries between 1990-2019 were examined in line with this purpose. A correlational survey design based on the qualitative research model was used in the study and the current situation was determined and evaluated in this respect. It has been concluded as a result of the research that South Korea and Turkey have achieved very high level of human development in 1997 and in 2015 respectively; however South Korea has taken presence over Turkey in terms of Gross Domestic Product, budget allocated to Ministry of Education and the rate of the budget allocated from GDP to the Ministry of Education between the years 1990-2019. It has further been concluded that South Korea has prepared its music lesson curriculum on the concepts of raising creative abilities, critical thinking, self-expression and aesthetic awareness whereas Turkey's music lesson curriculum was rather structured on concepts like musical notion, musical perception, creativity, playing and singing.