Busan Office of Education Collaborates with Local Organizations to Promote Character Education

Dosan Seowon and Dongnae Hyanggyo Operate Traditional Culture Experience Programs

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education (Superintendent Ha Yun-su) announced on the 30th that it will operate a traditional culture experience program linked with local community character education specialized institutions for about 2,000 elementary, middle, and high school students by early November.

This program is part of the "Busan Multi-Embracing Character Education" project, designed to establish a support system for character education in cooperation with related local organizations to cultivate well-rounded talents embodying respect and consideration.

The Office of Education has prepared two programs: the "Seonbi Culture Experience School" at Dosan Seowon Seonbi Culture Training Center in Andong, Gyeongbuk, and the "Youth Character and Etiquette Experience Classroom" at Dongnae Hyanggyo.

The "Seonbi Culture Experience School" involves 1,160 students from 32 elementary, middle, and high schools, operating various courses over two nights and three days according to school level.

Elementary students participate in activities such as greeting etiquette, making Dosan Seowon models, and Tuho (arrow throwing game). Middle school students engage in activities like visiting Toegye's ancestral home and the Yi Yuk-sa Literature Museum. High school students produce videos about the history of Dosan Seowon and the life and spirit of Yi Yuk-sa learned during the experience period, and present their plans to practice the Seonbi spirit.

The "Youth Character and Etiquette Experience Classroom" includes 870 students from 16 elementary schools and 37 classes. Students learn daily etiquette through wearing Hanbok and the traditional bowing method (baerye), and cultivate character and etiquette through Seodang (traditional village school) experiences and rice cake pounding.

The Office of Education operates this program as a half-day experiential learning and provides 45-seat vehicles to facilitate student transportation.

Ha Yun-su, Superintendent of Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, said, "This program, operated in collaboration with character education specialized institutions, will greatly help activate character education in schools," and added, "We hope our students grow into talents with character embodying respect, consideration, and cooperation through various experiential activities."