Revealing the Six Core Keywords
On the 2nd, Gyeongbuk Superintendent of Education Lim Jong-sik held a press conference at the Gyeongbuk Office of Education to mark the second anniversary of his fifth term, announcing the major achievements of the past two years and outlining future plans.
The press conference to mark the second anniversary of his inauguration was organized to share the main accomplishments of Gyeongbuk education over the past two years, explain key future policies and plans, and then answer questions from the press corps.
Superintendent Lim stated that the slogan “Warm Gyeongbuk Education, World Education Standard” is becoming a reality, and presented six core keywords for Gyeongbuk education: Gyeongbuk-style character education focused on communication, empathy, and cooperation to nurture global talents; innovation in classes to guarantee and improve basic academic abilities; creating future-oriented world education standards; restoring a warm educational community; active introduction and utilization of artificial intelligence for digital transformation; and responding to the declining school-age population.
In the area of Gyeongbuk-style character education that teaches communication, empathy, and cooperation, he said that patriotism education is being strengthened through activities such as walking the Path of National Defense and the Path of Independence, and the Cyber Dokdo School. He also emphasized that arts and physical education are being used to foster cooperation, consideration, and communication, and that the “Future Fruit (Daily Exercise for Opening the Future)” initiative and morning exercise programs will be further expanded.
He also stated that the “Let’s Do It Together, Gratitude Movement” will enhance individual happiness, and that the opening of the Life Library?a new concept library where people can borrow “human books”?will activate educational donations and further accelerate Gyeongbuk-style character education.
Regarding class innovation to guarantee and improve basic academic abilities, he said that classrooms filled with questions will drive instructional innovation. Initiatives such as the New Toegye Teachers Group, Curiosity Yard, Ingenuity Yard, and the Gyeongbuk Class Sharing Festival will realize student-centered classes. The development and distribution of CSAT-style assessment questions and the opening of an online public school in March next year will enhance educational effectiveness and increase public trust in education.
For the future of creating world education standards, he said that the IB program is being introduced and operated, and that 10 experiential institutions and 7 public libraries are being used to nurture global talents. He also mentioned that the construction of an International Education Center, as discussed at a public forum with the President, will be actively pursued. Staff will be dispatched to Korean Education Centers in the United States, Germany, and Vietnam to promote various international exchange projects in education.
He also highlighted that, for the first time in the country, 48 outstanding international students from 4 countries have been admitted to 8 vocational high schools, and that this will be expanded in close cooperation with four city and provincial education offices to nurture skilled workers who can settle in the region. In addition, the sharing of recycled computers and on-site teacher IT training support in four countries including Guatemala and Ethiopia will continue, spreading the warmth of Gyeongbuk education worldwide. He emphasized that overseas volunteer activities by students will help them grow as global citizens.
In terms of restoring a warm educational community, he explained that the direct hotline service for teacher rights protection (1395), the transfer of local teacher rights protection committees, and support for the recovery of affected teachers are all in place to protect teacher rights. Dedicated teams for student mental health, the development of meditation materials, and the opening of family-style WEE Centers are all part of efforts to support children's mental health and emotional stability.
He also stated that an “Online Parent School” has been established for parent education, and that “Kkumdamchae,” a self-reliance education center for students with disabilities, and the “Gyeongju Korean Language Education Center,” a customized Korean language institution for students from foreign families and mid-term entrants, are being operated to provide more detailed and comprehensive support for students in need. Furthermore, space restructuring projects, the development of school complex facilities with local residents, and the introduction of technologies such as frying robots are all part of efforts to provide a safe and pleasant environment for all school members.
For digital transformation through the active introduction and utilization of artificial intelligence, he explained the achievements of the School Support Comprehensive Data Center, which uses generative AI, the G-AI LAB for AI utilization, and the digital knowledge platform “Digital Jisik Maru.” Efforts are also being made to establish regional digital SW-AI education districts centered on education support offices, build the GBee collaboration system, prepare school digital environments and reorganize organizations for the efficient use of digital textbooks to be introduced from 2025, and strengthen teacher digital competency training.
In response to the declining school-age population, he emphasized the expansion and stable settlement of Neulbom Schools, manpower support, phased preparation for smooth integration of early childhood education, the establishment of educational development zones to innovate local public education and create a child-friendly environment, and the operation of 12 Gyeongbuk Future Education Districts to enhance local educational capacity and build local educational communities as proactive measures to address the crisis.
Superintendent Lim Jong-sik said, “The slogan ‘Warm Gyeongbuk Education, World Education Standard’ is becoming a concrete reality. Going forward, students will grow, we will be harmonious, and Gyeongbuk education will open the future together.”
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