District Expands ‘Seoripul Saem,’ the Nation’s First Hybrid Online-Offline Education Support Project... Strengthening the Seocho-type Education Safety Net
·Support extended beyond legally low-income households to include families with median income below 100%, carefully covering educationally marginalized groups
·Mentoring hours for upper-grade students increased from 1 hour once a week to 2 hours, with support expanded up to 84 hours
·AI Smart Schooling devices installed at 8 local child centers to provide ongoing mentoring and support for enrolled children
Launch ceremony held at district office auditorium on the 30th, followed by full-scale project operation
Seocho-gu (District Mayor Jeon Seongsu) is expanding the 2023 ‘Seoripul Saem,’ an education support project targeting vulnerable children and adolescents, to strengthen the ‘Seocho-type education safety net.’
‘Seoripul Saem’ is a hybrid online-offline education support project combining AI learning and face-to-face mentoring, first implemented in Seocho in 2019 as the nation’s first initiative to close the educational gap among vulnerable children and adolescents and provide equal starting opportunities.
So far, the district has annually supported about 500 vulnerable children and adolescent mentees with various Seoripul Saem educational services, working with approximately 130 mentors composed of career-interrupted female teachers, instructors, university, and graduate students.
Services include customized 1:1 mentoring in learning, culture, emotional, and career fields, as well as ▲support for AI learning devices to aid self-directed learning through ‘AI Smart Schooling’ ▲provision of online course access and textbooks for high school students ▲vacation cultural experience activities, thereby providing a Seocho-type education safety net.
This year, the district will quantitatively and qualitatively expand the ‘Seoripul Saem’ project. First, the support target will be extended beyond legally low-income households such as recipients and near-poor to families with median income below 100%.
Additionally, mentoring hours for students from 3rd grade middle school to 3rd grade high school will increase from 1 hour once a week to 2 hours, with support expanded up to 84 hours annually to enable more active mentoring.
Moreover, AI Smart Schooling devices will be installed?three units each?at eight local child centers responsible for caring for local children and adolescents, providing ongoing mentoring and AI Smart Schooling support to enrolled children.
The district will hold a launch ceremony on the 30th at the district office auditorium with 132 mentors and 511 mentees and will begin full-scale operation of the 2023 ‘Seoripul Saem.’
The ‘AI Smart Schooling’ component of the ‘Seoripul Saem’ project has been proven effective in improving academic achievement among vulnerable children. According to a 2021 performance analysis research report by the Asia Education Association, an educational professional organization, children participating in the project showed significantly higher academic achievement and academic self-efficacy compared to non-participants, recognizing its potential as an educational welfare model.
Seocho District Mayor Jeon Seongsu said, “We hope the expansion of the Seoripul Saem project will further help vulnerable children and adolescents receive equal educational opportunities,” adding, “We will continue to do our best to support children and adolescents, the future of Seocho-gu, to grow into healthy members of society.”
Yangcheon-gu Opens ‘Neulkkum,’ a Space for Slow Learners
District collaborates with Korea Airports Corporation and Yangcheon Sarang Welfare Foundation to open learning space ‘Neulkkum’ at Sinwol Comprehensive Social Welfare Center
Dedicated staff assigned to provide customized capacity-building programs for 20 elementary students with borderline intelligence in the area
Parent self-help groups, parent education, and information sharing networks established for emotional support
Yangcheon-gu (District Mayor Lee Gijae) announced that through public-private cooperation, it has opened ‘Neulkkum,’ a support space for slow learners, at the Sinwol Comprehensive Social Welfare Center on the 28th and will begin full-scale operation of support programs this month to reduce educational gaps and improve social skills among slow-learning children, as well as alleviate caregiving burdens.
Slow learners are students with cognitive abilities below average intelligence but without intellectual disabilities, estimated to account for 13.4% of the entire population. They are not registered as disabled under welfare laws and are not eligible for special education, placing them in educational and welfare blind spots.
‘Neulkkum,’ located on the third floor of Sinwol Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, is a space designed to fill these support gaps. To this end, last November, the district formed a public-private partnership with Korea Airports Corporation, Yangcheon Sarang Welfare Foundation, and Sinwol Comprehensive Social Welfare Center to support slow learners in the district, with Korea Airports Corporation providing sponsorship funds for space creation and operation.
The name ‘Neulkkum’ was selected through a public contest and means ‘walking slowly but always living with dreams, hoping to achieve hope and dreams.’
‘Neulkkum’ operates weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m., with one dedicated staff member (social worker) experienced in special needs children guiding 20 elementary students with borderline intelligence in the district through customized capacity-building programs including basic learning guidance, social skills development training, and comprehensive psychological testing to improve learning ability and provide a foundation for independence. Additionally, the district plans to operate networking projects for information sharing such as expert advisory meetings, parent self-help groups, and parent education.
The district plans to secure additional funding through future public contests to reinforce dedicated staff and expand support programs including art, reading, and career experience activities.
Yangcheon District Mayor Lee Gijae said, “‘Neulkkum,’ which provides specialized cognitive, social, and emotional programs, will be a stepping stone for our children to grow at their own pace without haste through emotional support and bonding,” adding, “We will continue to build a dense support network so that those on the margins of our society receive sufficient care and help.”
Geumcheon-gu Operates Educational Program at Siheung Haenggung Exhibition Hall
Educational program themed on King Jeongjo and Siheung Haenggung at Siheung Haenggung Exhibition Hall
Targeting 5th and 6th grade elementary students, held 68 times from March to December
Includes experiential plays, 3D pen classes, music box kits, VR, puzzles, and pop-up books
Geumcheon-gu (District Mayor Yoo Seonghun) will operate an educational program themed on King Jeongjo’s royal procession and Siheung Haenggung at the Siheung Haenggung Exhibition Hall starting March 29.
This program is designed for 5th and 6th grade elementary students and offers fun and diverse experiences to reflect on the precious value of Siheung Haenggung and learn about the importance and historical significance of Geumcheon-gu.
The program will be held 68 times every Tuesday and Wednesday from March 29 to December 27.
Main contents include ▲Time Travel! The Royal Procession Path and Siheung Haenggung, a participatory play ▲Recreating Hwaseong Wonhaengbanchado with a 3D pen ▲Making My Own Siheung Haenggung (music box) ▲Geumcheon Archaeology School (VR, puzzles, puppet shows) ▲and the Hwanyeohaengryeoldo pop-up book that brings imagination to reality.
Elementary school teachers can download the application form from the Siheung Haenggung Exhibition Hall website (Education & Events), fill it out, and submit it via email or official document to the person in charge. Participation is free of charge. If walking to the exhibition hall is difficult, bus rental can be arranged in consultation with the district office staff.
Geumcheon District Mayor Yoo Seonghun said, “Through this program, we hope children enjoy learning history and develop affection and pride for our Geumcheon,” adding, “We will continue to prepare various educational programs so that growing children can have a correct understanding of history.”
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