There Is No End to Learning... Yeongdeungpo-gu's 'Neulpureum School' Touching Graduation Ceremony

February 7 Graduation of 28 Students: 14 in Elementary Class, 14 in Middle School Class
Active Participation Despite Illness... 2 Perfect Attendance Awards, 2 Excellence Awards, 1 Superintendent Award
New High School GED Class Established... Continuing the Learning Journey with Enthusiastic Seniors

Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) announced on the 7th that the ‘2023 Academic Year Neulpureum School Graduation Ceremony’ was successfully held at the district office annex auditorium.

‘Yeongdeungpo Neulpureum School’ is an adult literacy education institution that provides elementary and middle school curricula to seniors who missed their learning period, recognizing academic achievement upon completion of all courses. Currently, it operates academic recognition programs in three stages each for elementary and middle school courses, as well as life literacy programs such as ▲Basic English ▲IT Literacy.

The district is home to six active adult literacy schools, including Neulpureum School, so much so that it is called the ‘8th District of Adult Literacy Schools.’ In particular, the district-run Neulpureum School currently has 6 classes with 139 seniors enrolled.

At the graduation ceremony, a total of 28 learners (14 elementary graduates and 14 middle school graduates) graduated. Additionally, ▲2 perfect attendance awards ▲2 excellence awards ▲1 Seoul City Model Student Award (Superintendent’s Award) were presented, demonstrating the learners’ passion.

Mr. Kim Kyung-su, born in 1947, who received the perfect attendance award for not missing a single day in three years, came to school unable to even write his own name. Living alone, he diligently practiced writing every day after class by copying books. Now, having learned basic IT at Neulpureum School, he records his voice on a smartphone, converts the audio to text, and writes diaries, becoming a smart learner.

Ms. Yoo Min-sook, born in 1946, who always says, “I am proud to be a student,” received the elementary excellence award that day. She is a skilled and diligent learner who represented the elementary course in the school event Golden Bell and was the only one to reach the finals. She loves studying and always proudly speaks of Neulpureum School, also serving as a vitamin to the teachers.

Also, Ms. Lee Bok-soon, born in 1948, who suffers from lupus and severe myasthenia gravis, attends classes wearing a full-body brace despite muscle weakness and the discomfort of eyelids that do not close due to myasthenia gravis, showing great passion for learning. In recognition of this dedication, she is scheduled to receive the ‘2023 Seoul City Model Student Award’ at the Seoul City Literacy Education Graduation Ceremony held on the 13th.

The graduates, who ignited their passion for lifelong learning, embraced their long-awaited diplomas while watching a video of Neulpureum School’s activities over the past year with current students, teachers, and family members.

To reward the seniors’ enthusiasm for learning, the district newly established a ‘High School Equivalency Test Class’ this year, with 9 learners currently enrolled at Neulpureum School.

Furthermore, Neulpureum School is currently operating an art club to provide opportunities for learners’ self-help groups, and plans to expand support by adding two more clubs starting this year.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, “I truly respect the seniors who have the passion for learning and never give up,” adding, “We support the graduates’ future and will continue to provide various learning opportunities so that those in educational blind spots can realize their dreams.”