Delivery of Encouragement Gifts to a Total of 977 Childcare Staff at Jung-gu Daycare Centers and Childcare Support Centers

Jung-gu, Teacher's Day Appreciation Event... Real-time Non-face-to-face Communication via ZOOM on the 14th

Online Team Building Event for Childcare Teachers

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Seo Yang-ho) held a gratitude event on May 15th, Teacher's Day, by delivering healing encouragement gifts to childcare center and childcare support center staff.

The recipients were a total of 977 childcare center and childcare support center staff members.

The district delivered selected encouragement gifts recommended in advance by childcare staff and held a real-time non-face-to-face event using ZOOM on the 14th, providing time to communicate with childcare centers.

The event was prepared to boost the morale of childcare teachers who are suffering double hardships due to increased workload and psychological restraint caused by the COVID-19 pandemic since last year and the daily reports of childcare center child abuse cases, as well as to express gratitude.

Due to COVID-19, at the beginning of last year, childcare centers lost graduation ceremonies for children, orientations or education for parents, and various special activities.

Although an official closure order was issued for childcare centers, they operated under an emergency care system rather than a full closure. All activities at childcare centers remained the responsibility of childcare teachers, who played an important role in filling the care gap while complying with quarantine rules.

The closure order for childcare centers was lifted as of April 1st, but teachers continue to protect the childcare field for children amid ongoing risks of infectious diseases.

Kim Young-ran, director of Cheonggu Childcare Center, said, "It was truly difficult to guide young children to follow quarantine rules and live accordingly. I am only grateful to the children and parents who have followed well so far, and to our teachers who have worked hard on the front lines." She added, "Also, since last year, Jung-gu Office has provided much help and encouragement, such as masks and subsidies, which has been a great comfort and strength."

Since 2019, the district has been striving to improve the quality of childcare and the treatment of childcare teachers through the public childcare center direct operation project. To lower the teacher-to-child ratio, the district has supported assistant teachers and auxiliary personnel, provided treatment improvement allowances, and implemented various support measures such as stress counseling to boost morale.

Seo Yang-ho, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, "The district is working hard to improve the treatment of childcare teachers through allowance support and counseling programs," and expressed gratitude, saying, "We will not forget the hard work of teachers who have done their best in the childcare field during the devastating situation of COVID-19."