Integrated Middle School to Open in 2025, 32 Classes with 840 Students
Gyeongnam Superintendent of Education Park Jong-hoon (right) and Changwon Mayor Heo Seong-moo are signing a business agreement for the integration and relocation of Jinhae Middle School and Jinhae Girls' Middle School. [Image source=Gyeongnam Office of Education]
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] On the 18th, the Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education signed a 'Business Agreement for the Integrated Relocation of Jinhae Middle School and Jinhae Girls' Middle School' with Changwon City.
This integration is being carried out to address the decrease in the number of students in the Jinhae area due to the depopulation of the old downtown area, and the continuous demands for improvement of the educational environment caused by the aging of educational facilities at Jinhae Middle School and Jinhae Girls' Middle School, which are over 50 years old.
In particular, Jinhae Middle School shared its playground and gymnasium with Jinhae High School, which imposed many restrictions on curriculum operation, and Jinhae Girls' Middle School urgently needed reconstruction due to facility aging, but construction was difficult due to the irregular shape of the site and proximity to private land.
According to the agreement, the Gyeongnam Office of Education will carry out property exchanges and urban planning facility decisions for the integrated relocation and will promote facility construction on the development site of the Yeoja District (former Army University site).
The city will carry out various administrative procedures and guarantee the normal operation of the curriculum on the current Jinhae Girls' Middle School site until the relocation of the integrated middle school is completed, and will support the creation of cultural facilities for citizens and spaces for regional balanced development after the relocation.
Superintendent Park Jong-hoon said, "Through this integrated relocation, a large-scale educational complex representing the region will be created, and Jinhae will develop into an educational city," adding, "We will implement a smart future school equipped with advanced equipment to become a school that satisfies educational demanders."
Mayor Heo Seong-mu said, "The smooth promotion of the integrated relocation of educational facilities and the old downtown regeneration project is expected to greatly contribute to the establishment of educational infrastructure and regional balanced development," and added, "We will spare no effort in administrative and financial support for the establishment of the integrated middle school."
Meanwhile, in July, a parent briefing session and survey were conducted regarding the integrated relocation of Jinhae Middle School and Jinhae Girls' Middle School, obtaining 88% consent, and in August, advice was received from a specialized school establishment institution.
The relocated school will be coeducational with 32 classes and 840 students, aiming to open in 2025, and the Ministry of Education's central investment review is scheduled to be requested in 2022.
The nearby Yeoja District development area of the integrated middle school will include various facilities such as a knowledge industry center, materials research institute, and sports center, which can be utilized for students' curriculum operation, creating a high-quality educational environment.
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