Bukmyeon Parents' Association "No Vertical Extension for Gamgye Middle School, Please Build Modular Classrooms"

The Parent Association of Buk-myeon, Gyeongnam held a press conference opposing the vertical extension of Gamgye Middle School. / Photo by Se-ryeong Lee ryeong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Parents in Buk-myeon, Uichang-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam, have opposed the vertical extension of Gamgye Middle School.

The Buk-myeon Parents' Association held a press conference at the Provincial Assembly briefing room on the 24th, urging the construction of modular classrooms at Gamgye Middle School.

According to the Provincial Office of Education, Gamgye Middle School, which opened in 2016 with 24 classes, is scheduled to be extended from 4 floors to 5 floors over one year starting next year, aiming for completion in 2024, in anticipation of an increase in the number of students in the Gamgye area.

In 2026, Gamgye 2 Middle School, with 15 classes, will open.

The Parents' Association stated, "The vertical extension planned by the Provincial Office of Education ignores the safety and learning rights of the children," adding, "We cannot expose children to the construction site, where they would inhale fine dust on their way to and from school and face extremely dangerous conditions that are obvious."

They demanded the installation of an 'advanced future-type modular classroom' on one side of the playground instead of adding floors to the existing building.

The Provincial Office of Education explained, "Gamgye Middle School is expected to have 50 classes in 2026 and 53 classes in 2028," adding, "Even with the establishment of Gamgye 2 Middle School with 15 classes to distribute students, at least 35 classes and up to 38 classes are expected to be organized, so the extension of Gamgye Middle School is necessary."

They continued, "Modular classrooms would occupy one-quarter of the playground area for a minimum of 2027 and a maximum until 2023," and "It takes three months to install electrical, communication, fire-fighting, and water supply and drainage facilities, and even if they are dismantled after the establishment of Gamgye 2 Middle School, various facilities must be reassembled."

A Provincial Office of Education official said, "The extension construction will start in early January 2023 and will take about 10 to 12 months," adding, "We will use all possible methods to shorten the period, minimize noise, separate school routes and vehicle entrances, assign safety managers for commuting, install temporary walls, and protect students' safety and learning rights."