Jeon Nam-do Councilor Mo Jeong-hwan Demands "Various Utilization Plans for Closed Schools"

Jeon Jeong-hwan, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Mo Jeong-hwan, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea, Hampyeong), has called on the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education to prepare various plans for the utilization of closed schools.

According to Assemblyman Mo Jeong-hwan on the 28th, there are a total of about 129 closed schools managed by the Office of Education, and since last year, the Office has been promoting the "Closed Schools to Local Residents" project to return these schools as local cultural and welfare facilities instead of selling or leasing them.

The "Closed Schools to Local Residents" project is being piloted with Gokseong Dosang Elementary School, Yeosu Dolsan Jungang Elementary School, and Yeonggwang Hongnong Namcho Gyema Branch School serving as welfare rest areas for residents, and Suncheon Seungnam Middle School Oeseo Branch as a regional development rest area.

Assemblyman Mo Jeong-hwan said, "The purpose of the project is good, but it is regrettable that the closed schools are currently only being used as rest areas," and requested improvements, stating, "Since they are closed schools, it is necessary to develop them into academic facilities that can be returned to children and adolescents, or cultural and sports facilities where they can learn life sports."

In response, Administrative Director Park Young-soo said, "In addition to rest areas, we have designated eight more sites as pilot project locations to be used as student experience spaces, resident welfare facilities, and community development hubs," and added, "We will accelerate the project to actively utilize closed schools."