"No Such Thing as Late Age" Mapo School Opens... One Additional Beginner Class Added

Basic Elementary Education Including Literacy Education for Over 80 Students
Expanded Opportunities by Adding One Beginner Class This Year
Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, “I Respect Those Who Keep Dreaming and Challenging Themselves”

Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) will operate the ‘Mapo School,’ a program supporting basic elementary education such as Korean literacy education, music, and art for adults who missed learning opportunities, starting from March 11.

At the Mapo-gu Lifelong Learning Center, about 80 students will study together this year in ‘Mapo School,’ building deep friendships.

When establishing the operation plan for Mapo School last February, Mapo-gu intended to run one beginner class and one intermediate class each, supporting about 60 students. However, the number of applicants eager to learn far exceeded the target number of students.

Accordingly, to expand educational participation opportunities, Mapo-gu newly added one beginner class, welcoming about 20 more students than planned.

Students admitted to Mapo School receive free literacy education twice a week and participate in a singing class every Wednesday to enrich their lives. Also, considering the older age group of the students, Mapo-gu plans to provide education on digital usage such as smartphones and kiosks.

Mr. Park Jeom-ja (pseudonym, 74), who completed the beginner course last year and advanced to the intermediate class, said, “Not being able to learn as a child was a regret, but I resolved that regret through Mapo School,” and expressed gratitude, saying, “Learning Hangul has allowed me to shake off the frustration of not being able to read and write in the past, making it meaningful and happy.”

Furthermore, in June, Mapo-gu plans to submit the beautiful poetry and paintings created by Mapo School students to the National Adult Literacy Education Poetry and Painting Exhibition so that students can feel the reward of learning.

Meanwhile, as elderly students frequently pause their classes due to health reasons, Mapo-gu is continuously recruiting waiting applicants to fill vacancies. Applications can be made by phone or visit.

At the Mapo School entrance and opening ceremony, Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “I hope Mapo School enriches the lives of seniors and helps their physical and mental health,” and added, “I respect all of you who do not lose your dreams and take on new challenges, and I hope you enjoy ‘the joy of finding myself’ through ‘the pleasure of learning together’ this year.”