Simsangdong, Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly Member, Presents Big Picture for Educational Environment in Jinhae Old Downtown

Jinhae Middle and Girls' Middle School Integration, Chairman Lee Seol Appointed

Sim Sang-dong, Provincial Assembly Member.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Council member Sim Sang-dong was appointed as the chairman of the Jinhae Middle School and Jinhae Girls' Middle School Integration and Relocation Promotion Committee on the 4th to improve the educational environment in the old downtown area of Jinhae.

Since their establishment in 1951, Jinhae Middle School and Jinhae Girls' Middle School have faced the need for educational environment improvements due to aging educational facilities.

Due to the decline in student numbers caused by the depopulation of the old downtown area, the schools have experienced difficulties in operating educational programs because of the concentration of student preferences in nearby schools.

Accordingly, after a meeting involving school administrators and parent representatives was held in 2017 regarding integration and relocation, the schools were confirmed as targets for integration and relocation, but progress stalled due to difficulties in securing a budget of 41.5 billion KRW.

Recognizing this, Council member Sim has been working to secure the necessary budget by coordinating with the Gyeongnam Office of Education and Changwon City Hall.

With the major framework established, the remaining task is the final review concerning the old Army University site, which was originally planned by the Office of Education and is a long-standing wish of the local residents.

From the perspectives of student demand and future sustainable development potential, if a land swap review with the Office of Education and Changwon City, based on the agreement of the schools involved, is conducted regarding the old Army University site, which is attracting attention as a new visionary area in Jinhae, the project is expected to gain momentum.

Accordingly, Council member Sim plans to promote the integration and relocation to the Army University site within the Yeoja District urban development area and to encourage the use of the existing school sites as complex cultural spaces.

Council member Sim stated, "The integration and relocation of Jinhae Middle School and Jinhae Girls' Middle School is an essential project to transform them into the top prestigious schools in Gyeongnam through educational environment improvement, and as chairman, I will do my best to serve as a stepping stone."