Elder Ham Oksun of Yeongdeungpo-gu Receives Minister of Education Award for 'My Study is Mine, Your Study is Yours'

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Yeongdeungpo-gu Neulpureum School (Principal Choi Ho-kwon, Yeongdeungpo-gu Mayor) achieved a great success as a work submitted by the school won the Minister of Education Award at the ‘2023 National Adult Literacy Education Poetry and Painting Contest’.

The National Adult Literacy Education Poetry and Painting Contest is an event held every September to commemorate ‘Literacy Month in Korea,’ organized by the Ministry of Education and the National Institute for Lifelong Education. It is promoted to encourage the achievements of literacy education learners and to raise social awareness about literacy education.

In June this year, the National Institute for Lifelong Education called for submissions in two categories, poetry and painting and postcard writing, from participants in literacy education programs. Participants submitted works under the theme ‘Literacy, Learning is Always Amazing,’ expressing new experiences and worlds encountered through learning, and changes in daily life brought about by literacy education.

Due to the nationwide enthusiastic interest and passion for the poetry and painting contest, the number of works advancing to the finals reached 17,428. In August, after evaluation by judges composed of literary and literacy education experts, 150 poetry and painting works and 47 postcard writing works were selected as the final awardees. Award ceremonies will be held in November at 17 city and provincial promotion institutes.

The Minister of Education Award, given only in the poetry and painting category, was awarded to a total of 10 people. Among them, senior citizen Ham Ok-soon (67), who is attending the first stage of the middle school course at Neulpureum School, received the highest honor with her poetry and painting titled ‘My Study is Mine, Your Study is Yours.’ (Photo)

Senior Ham Ok-soon sincerely expressed in her poetry and painting the feelings she experienced while studying for herself late in life, breaking away from a life devoted to her children. She conveys the message that unlike food or clothing, studying cannot be vicariously satisfied; although study is easily forgotten once turned away from, studying for oneself finally brings a warm feeling to the heart and reveals the world.

Having graduated from elementary school but unable to continue her education due to difficult circumstances, Ham carried a deep desire for learning in her heart. She participated in classes more passionately than anyone else, and her heartfelt poem deeply moved and inspired many.

At Neulpureum School, about 140 late learners like Ham are passionately pursuing their studies. Neulpureum School is an adult literacy education institution directly operated by the district office, where seniors who missed the opportunity to learn can complete courses and receive recognized elementary and middle school graduation credentials. Up to this year, 141 students have graduated from the elementary course and 55 from the middle school course.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, “I extend my deep respect and congratulations to senior Ham Ok-soon, who studied diligently with passion for learning and won the Minister of Education Award at the National Adult Literacy Poetry and Painting Contest. We will continue to vigorously support the new challenges of lifelong learners at Neulpureum School, who are living their youngest days more than anyone else.”