Ulsan Office of Education Adds 4 More Schools for 1st Grade Elementary, 2nd Grade Middle, and 1st Grade High... Gangdong High School Becomes Ulsan's First Innovation High School
Leading Role in Spreading School Innovation Culture... Plan to Operate 20
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education (Superintendent No Ok-hee) has designated four additional Ulsan-type innovative schools called ‘Seoronanum Schools,’ which lead the spread of school innovation culture.
Starting with nine schools in 2019, twelve schools operated as Seoronanum Schools this year, and next year, a total of sixteen schools will be operated as Seoronanum Schools.
In particular, Gangdong High School in Buk-gu was designated as Ulsan’s first innovative high school, raising expectations for connected education across elementary, middle, and high schools.
The Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education recently held the 2nd Innovative Education Operation Committee meeting and reviewed applications for Seoronanum Schools for the 2021 academic year, designating four additional schools. The selected schools will be operated for four years.
The Seoronanum Schools to be operated from March next year are Duseo Elementary, Dugwang Middle, Cheongnyang Middle, and Gangdong High, covering various school levels from elementary to high school.
This year, twelve schools operated as Seoronanum Schools, focusing on elementary schools with eleven schools (Byeongyeong, Sangjin, Yangji, Okseong, Gangnam, Cheongnyang, Samdong, Hogye, Dudong, Dajeon, Goheon) and one middle school (Sangbuk).
Next year, with the addition of one elementary school, two middle schools, and one high school, connections between school levels and regional linkages will become possible.
Duseo Elementary and Dugwang Middle in Ulju-gun, along with Dudong Elementary, which is already operated as a Seoronanum School, are expected to play a role as a regional innovation belt, linking elementary and middle schools.
Cheongnyang Middle School will not only connect with Cheongnyang Elementary, also a Seoronanum School, but will also promote village-linked innovation through sharing village resources.
Gangdong High School has taken its first step as Ulsan’s first innovative high school. Although there are concerns about innovative high schools under the current college entrance system, faculty and parents united to seek changes in the school and reset the direction of education by applying for Seoronanum School status.
In this year’s application process, the consent target was expanded from teachers to include teachers, general public officials, and public employees (education affairs assistants, administrative assistants), establishing a foundation for the entire educational community to share the vision of Seoronanum Schools and jointly seek school changes.
Seoronanum Schools are supported administratively and financially. An annual basic budget of 20 million KRW and 1 million KRW per class are provided.
To create a school culture centered on educational activities, one additional education affairs assistant will be assigned, and personnel support such as deferrals, transfer requests, and irregular transfers will be expanded starting next year.
Seoronanum Schools, promoted as a pledge by Superintendent No Ok-hee, envision happy schools where students learn and grow together. Based on a democratic school culture of cooperation and sharing, they operate curricula focused on learning and growth.
The Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education plans to steadily expand the current Seoronanum Schools and connections by school level and region, aiming to operate a total of 20 schools by 2022.
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