Conducted at 25 Elementary, Middle, and High Schools Earlier This Year
The Gyeongbuk Provincial Council (Chairman Bae Han-cheol) will officially operate the ‘2024 Gyeongbuk Provincial Council Youth Assembly Classroom,’ where youth from the Gyeongbuk region directly experience local council activities, starting on the 17th at Muhak High School in Gyeongsan.
On this day, in the main chamber of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council, Chairman Bae Han-cheol personally welcomed and encouraged about 30 students from Muhak High School in Gyeongsan. The students took on the roles of council members and conducted the meeting following the actual plenary session format: opening ceremony - 5-minute free speeches - proposal explanations on ordinances and recommendations - pros and cons debate - voting.
They presented 5-minute free speeches on topics such as ‘Scholarship system for local medical students to resolve medical disparities between urban and rural areas’ and ‘Policy proposals to address educational inequality.’ Six agenda items were submitted, including the ordinance on ‘Additional installation of youth protection centers,’ the ordinance on ‘Free milk feeding,’ the recommendation on ‘Placement of wireless vacuum cleaners in school classrooms,’ and the recommendation on ‘Installation of artificial turf on school playgrounds.’
The students proposed their opinions on school and social issues from a youth perspective, engaged in heated debates for and against the proposals, and participated in electronic voting, experiencing the entire decision-making process and vividly understanding the role and status of local councils.
The participating students shared their impressions, saying, “It was a great opportunity to directly experience the council, which we had only learned about in textbooks, by freely sharing our thoughts, exchanging opinions together, debating, and conducting electronic voting, and actually playing the role of council members.”
The Gyeongbuk Provincial Council Youth Assembly Classroom was first introduced in 2014 and has since been experienced by about 3,850 students from 68 schools across the province. It is a program where elementary, middle, and high school students, the future leaders, become council members for a day and directly experience council activities and democratic decision-making processes in the council’s main chamber.
This year, starting with Muhak High School in Gyeongsan, about 700 students from 25 schools including Pohang Science High School, Chunyang Elementary School in Bonghwa, Daheung Elementary School in Pohang, and Sangju High School will participate in the experience activities. The number of participating schools increased from 20 schools (544 students) last year to 25 schools.
A survey conducted on students who participated in last year’s Youth Assembly Classroom program showed high satisfaction, with 95.4% understanding the role and functions of the council, 88.5% stating it helped develop democratic citizenship skills, and 92% finding the program beneficial.
Chairman Bae Han-cheol of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council said, “I hope that through the Youth Assembly Classroom, students in the province will have a meaningful time directly experiencing the legislative activities of the local council.” He added, “We plan to expand the program so that more youth can participate, helping our students develop democratic problem-solving skills and realize their big dreams.”
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