Yeongdeungpo-gu Begins Happy Journey with Slow Learners

Enactment of the 'Seoul Special City Yeongdeungpo-gu Slow Learners Support Ordinance' in July Last Year
Accelerating the Discovery of Slow Learners in Blind Spots... Providing Opportunities for Independence as Members of Society
Customized Programs for Children, Adolescents, and Adults... Support for Various Programs Including Screening Tests and Group Counseling
Education for Accurate Understanding and Awareness Improvement of Slow Learners

Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) announced that it will make every effort to identify slow learners who are in blind spots and support their social adaptation.

“Slow learners” refer to individuals with borderline intelligence, whose intelligence quotient is lower than the average intelligence score based on intelligence tests, and who face difficulties in daily life such as academics, work, and interpersonal relationships, thus requiring appropriate support.

Accordingly, the district is carrying out various projects to discover slow learners in blind spots such as educational support and to establish a customized support system.

First, in July 2023, the district enacted the “Seoul Special City Yeongdeungpo-gu Slow Learners Support Ordinance” to raise awareness of the concept of slow learners in the local community and to accurately grasp the current status. Through this, the district plans to actively identify target individuals by building networks with schools and the local community and to increase social interest and understanding of slow learners.

To accelerate the identification of slow learners, the district supports the “Borderline Intelligence Screening Test Program” in cooperation with the Seoul Lifelong Education Support Center for Borderline Intelligence. Anyone wishing to take the test can do so free of charge, and those suspected based on the screening test results can receive a second additional test such as an intelligence test free of charge through the “Yeongdeungpo-gu Youth Counseling Welfare Center.”

In the second half of this year, the district plans to support an “education program” to improve the social skills and literacy of slow learners. In addition, it will operate an “art therapy counseling” program for psychological and emotional stability and a “group counseling and practice program” where participants share hobbies with peer groups to develop social skills.

Furthermore, the district is currently conducting special lectures to improve awareness of slow learners and operates study groups for parents raising slow learners. The study groups will run until December this year, and residents wishing to participate can apply through the district office website - Integrated Reservation - Lifelong Education.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, “We will continue steady interest and support so that slow learners can adapt as members of society,” and added, “We will do our best to discover socially vulnerable people who are in blind spots due to the absence of social safety nets.”