鄕校의 전국 분포 및 역사

Abstract

Korean history shows that there were already educational institutes even in the Three Kingdoms Time. Hyang-gyo (鄕校), a local educational institute, first appeared in Goryeo dynasty. It is not clearly shown when Hyang-gyo was first established just being estimated to be about the times of King Seongjong or King Injong of Goryeo. Hyang-gyo lost its way through the times of Mongolian invasion and military power regime but it was getting rejuvenated late in Goryeo. Then, Chosun dynasty was founded by Shinheung-Sadaebu(新興士大夫: new nobility group) and Hyang-gyo was vitalized with spreading of Sung Confucianism. Under the emblem of Il-Eup-Il-Gyo(一邑一校: a Hyang-gyo in a village), Hyang-gyo was placed nationwide in every Gun-Hyeon district; not simultaneously but with some interval as far as I have seen the history. A report said that Hyang-gyo is still remaining in total of 324 places including 231 in the South and 93 in the North. With its national policy, Sung-Yu-Eok-Bul (崇儒抑佛: Respecting Confucianism while Suppressing Buddhism), Chosun claimed to support bringing-up of manpower through Hyang-gyo in connection with Gwageo (科擧: national examination to select government officials) even early in its period. In fact, Chosun put the article, 'Hakgyo-Heung (學校興: booming schools)’, in its guideline for local governors, Suryeong-Chil-Sa (守令七事: seven main affairs that local governors must do), to value Hyang-gyo. In fact, however, such policy to spread out Hyang-gyo was no less than an effort of diffusing its ruling power's ideology nationwide. In the early stage, the central government made some achievement in supporting Hyang-gyo through such aids as dispatching trainers, providing land, servants, books and etc. Late in the 15th century, however, Hyang-gyo lost most of its power due to such factors as degrading of trainers, establishment of too many private schools and etc, and finally, it was deteriorated to a place to avoid the duty of national defense. Until late in the 19th century, however, Hyang-gyo did not lose its function completely as a local village organization to represent the benefits of nobility who wanted to keep their position still then.