An 'Ecological Park' on School Grounds? ... Gyeongnam Office of Education to Establish 6 Sites This Year

A Multifunctional Cultural Space for Learning, Play, and Rest

The opening ceremony of the Ecological Environment Future School Playground was held at Milju Elementary School in Miryang, Gyeongnam.
[Image source=Gyeongnam Office of Education]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The Gyeongnam Office of Education is promoting the 2023 ‘School Playground Ecological Park Creation Project with the Village.’

The provincial Office of Education plans to accept applications for the contest until the 20th and select a total of six elementary, middle, and high schools, categorized into urban and rural types.

They will establish model types for playground ecological parks and promote a three-year continuous project consisting of foundation establishment, ecological environment and facility creation, and curriculum operation to enhance the completeness of playground space innovation.

According to the provincial Office of Education, the traditional structure of existing school playgrounds focused on exercise and activities, limiting participation especially for younger students.

Therefore, the provincial Office of Education stated that this project was planned to transform the function of school playgrounds into complex cultural spaces where various ecological experiences such as learning, play, and rest are possible.

A provincial Office of Education official said, “The ecological playground is a space to learn the importance of the ecosystem as a carbon sink and a space that can be used together with village residents,” adding, “It will contribute to restoring the village community and improving the quality of life.”

The provincial Office of Education held a project briefing session at Miryang Milju Elementary School on December 16 last year and held an opening ceremony for the ecological environment future school playground on the 10th of this month.

Superintendent Park Jonghun said, “I hope to create a space that satisfies everyone by collecting opinions from the playground creation council composed of teachers, students, parents, local residents, related organizations, and related groups.”