Holding a Forum on Education for Students in the Global Era
Widespread Agreement on the Need for International Schools to Enhance Diversity
JeonGyoJo Advocates Policies for the Majority of Citizens, Not a Privileged Minority
Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam held a 'Jinhae Area International School (Foreign Educational Institution) Attraction Forum' at the Yi Sun-sin Leadership International Center.
The forum held on the 26th was organized to gather diverse opinions on attracting foreign educational institutions to secure educational infrastructure befitting the urban status of Changwon Special City, under the theme of 'Discussion on the Necessity and Issues of Establishing Foreign Educational Institutions in the Jinhae Area.'
About 100 Changwon citizens, including provincial and city council members, related organizations, and parent groups, attended the forum. Following the opening remarks by Jang Geum-yong, the 1st Deputy Mayor of Changwon Special City, the event proceeded with keynote presentations, designated discussions, and a Q&A session.
The first presenter, Professor Moon Geun-chan of the Department of Business Administration at Soongsil Cyber University, diagnosed the symptoms of Korean public education and the equalization policy under the theme of 'Diversification of Public Education,' and suggested directions for the development of public education.
In the second keynote presentation, Kim Yul, CEO of Epaphos, a consulting corporation for the establishment and operation of foreign educational institutions, presented 'The Significance and Issues of International Schools,' proposing directions for cooperation between international schools and public education as well as regional coexistence.
In the comprehensive discussion, chaired by Kim Seong-yeol, Honorary Chair Professor of the Department of Education at Gyeongnam National University, the discussion continued on 'The Necessity and Issues of Establishing Foreign Educational Institutions in the Jinhae Area.'
Kim Woong-seop, Director of the Port Logistics Research Center at the Changwon City Research Institute, emphasized the value and necessity of international schools from the perspective of a port city.
Lee Hae-ryeon, a member of the Changwon Special City Council, proposed establishing international schools from the perspective of locally led crisis management and growth to nurture talent through a quality education system.
No Kyung-seok, former head of the Gyeongnam branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, stated, “We oppose the promotion of international school establishment that fosters educational inequality and social polarization, and policies should be pursued for the majority of citizens, not for a select few.”
Lastly, Jung Jae-ok, director of the Gyeongsangnam-do School Management Association, called for diversified changes in public education to nurture future talents.
Hong Nam-pyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, said, “In the global era, it is important not only to improve the foreign investment environment but also to cultivate talents with an international perspective and capabilities,” adding, “We will do our best to review the various opinions discussed at this forum on the establishment of international schools and seek the right policy direction.”
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