Seogeo-seok, Former Jeonbuk Superintendent of Education, "I Will Fully Support IB Education"

Promise to Observe and Support Ajung Elementary Students' Classes on the 19th

Seo Geo-seok, Superintendent of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Office of Education, visited Jeonju Ajung Elementary School, an International Baccalaureate (IB) authorized school, on the 19th to inspect the operation of the IB program and discuss support measures.

According to the provincial Office of Education, Superintendent Seo visited Jeonju Ajung Elementary School (Principal Jo Yeon-sun) and observed a 3rd-grade class conducted under the theme "Who We Are?"

Jeonju Ajung Elementary School was designated as an IB interest school in September last year as part of Jeonbuk's future school initiative and has been implementing IB education since this year. During the observed class, teacher Kim Tae-hwa and students used an electronic whiteboard and tablet PCs to engage in questions and answers about similarities and differences.

On the 19th, Seogeo-seok, the former Superintendent of Education of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, visited an International Baccalaureate (IB) authorized school to inspect the operation status of the IB program and discuss support measures.
[Photo by Jeonbuk Provincial Office of Education]

The students created a chart comparing "similarities and differences between myself and my friends," and the class naturally concluded with establishing "rules to respect each other," emphasizing kindness and consideration.

Superintendent Seo aimed to inspect the field and find support measures for the "Expansion of the IB Program," one of the ten key tasks this year. After observing the class, he met with Principal Jo Yeon-sun, other school officials, and parents, promising active support for the implementation of the IB program.

The IB is an educational program developed and operated by the non-profit educational foundation, the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). It moves away from rote memorization and lecture-based education toward a process-centered curriculum featuring performance assessments, discussions, and essay writing.

The IB stages are designated in the order of interest school, candidate school, and authorized school. After progressing through interest and candidate school statuses, once registered as an authorized school, the IBO officially operates the IB program.

This year, a total of 10 schools in the province are conducting IB education. There are 43 authorized schools nationwide. Jeonju Ajung Elementary School was registered as an IB interest school in September last year.

Jeonju Ajung Elementary School operates the "AJIB (Ajung Elementary's IB Journey) - Aju IB: The Light of Ajung, Creating Tomorrow" project as part of the Jeonbuk future school initiative and runs an IB research school titled "Research on Class Innovation and Evaluation Improvement Applying the IB Program."

Meanwhile, the Jeonbuk Office of Education will sign a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with the IB headquarters on the 21st to collaborate on Korean localization of the IB program. They plan to focus on supporting IB research groups for teachers, providing online and offline training, and promoting registration and activation of IB authorized schools.

Superintendent Seo stated, "We will actively promote IB education starting this year to cultivate the future competencies of Jeonbuk students who possess both skills and sound character," adding, "We will fully support teachers with training opportunities to achieve class innovation and qualitative improvement in evaluation through creative curricula and diversified teaching methods."