Reading 8 Classics That Draw Out Humanistic Insights...

Jongno-gu Announces Enrollment for Lifelong Learning Center Programs from March to May... Providing Residents Weary from Prolonged COVID-19 with Opportunities to Cultivate Humanities Knowledge

Jongno-gu Lifelong Learning Program 'Architecture Liberal Arts School' Class Scene

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu (Mayor Kim Young-jong) will operate the 'First Half Lifelong Learning Center Program' from March to May, providing residents exhausted by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic with opportunities to cultivate humanities literacy and design a happy life, and is recruiting students.

This year's first half program will be conducted in both face-to-face and non-face-to-face formats considering the prolonged COVID-19 situation. Face-to-face education will be held at the Lifelong Learning Center (3rd floor of the Korea National Open University Open Hall, 81 Ihwajang-gil).

The face-to-face programs include ▲ Image Making to Find the Self ▲ Reading 8 Classics to Draw Out Humanistic Insights ▲ Stress Management Through Emotional Empathy ▲ Creative Drawing and Painting ▲ Drawing Capturing Daily Life ▲ Botanical Drawing ▲ Classical Music Journey Combining Music Appreciation and Theory ▲ Basic Japanese Through Humanities ▲ Easy Nail Art.

The non-face-to-face programs held online include ▲ Classical Art Song Walk ▲ Easy & Fun English Conversation ▲ Non-Competitive Reading Discussion Expert Course ▲ Artistic Trips in Daily Life.

The education schedule and tuition fees vary by class, and students must bear the costs of textbooks and materials required for learning.

Lectures will be conducted by village instructors composed of excellent local talents.

Last year, the district selected village instructors from local human resources with both expertise and friendliness to satisfy residents' desire for learning and to provide high-quality lifelong education programs.

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through the lifelong education website. Jongno-gu residents are given priority, but if there are vacancies, residents from other districts may also enroll. Results will be notified individually via text message, and related inquiries can be made through the Education Division.

Meanwhile, Jongno-gu opened the 'Lifelong Education Center' (81 Ihwajang-gil) in November 2019 to increase opportunities for lifelong education in daily life and to create an educational city where residents can live with pride. This place, which enriches residents' lives, consists of classrooms and resource rooms for related programs and spaces for lifelong learning club activities.

Additionally, 'Neighborhood Learning Centers' have been designated to serve as lifelong learning centers at the dong (neighborhood) level. This is to guarantee residents' nearby learning rights, build a solid lifelong education infrastructure, and actively exchange and cooperate with related institutions in the region.

In this way, Jongno-gu has steadily promoted lifelong education projects focusing on 'operating lifelong education programs,' 'strengthening regional lifelong learning centers,' and 'establishing a lifelong learning city foundation' so that all residents can equally enjoy the joy of learning.

In particular, substantial specialized programs based on traditional culture and local resources have been prepared, aiming to help everyone enjoy the joy of learning through adult literacy education for the educationally marginalized and night schools for the disabled.

Mayor Kim Young-jong said, “These days, when face-to-face education has become difficult due to COVID-19, we have started operating lifelong learning courses online so that residents can continue learning. I hope this will be of some help to those who felt regret as the related programs that had been actively operated were postponed.”