Briefing on Preparations for the 2nd Semester Neulbom School Operation
80% of 1st Grade Elementary Students Nationwide Wish to Participate
9,104 Dedicated Staff and 6,485 Classrooms Established
Starting from the second semester, 280,000 first graders nationwide will participate in Neulbom School. The Ministry of Education is preparing nearly 40,000 programs and over 6,000 classrooms and other spaces across the country to conduct classes. Next year, they plan to establish a dedicated system by selecting term-appointed 'Neulbom Support Directors' from among teachers.
On the 14th, Oh Seok-hwan, Vice Minister of Education, held a briefing at the Government Seoul Office on the 'Preparation Status for Operating Neulbom School in the Second Semester' and stated, "In the second semester, we aim to operate Neulbom School in all 6,185 elementary schools and 178 special schools nationwide."
According to a demand survey conducted by the Ministry of Education on first graders' participation in Neulbom School by school for the second semester, out of 348,000 first graders nationwide, 280,000, or 80%, expressed their desire to participate in Neulbom School. The Ministry explained that they are preparing programs and spaces to accommodate these students.
To operate Neulbom School, additional Neulbom staff have been assigned to schools since last month, and as of the 9th, 9,104 dedicated personnel are preparing classes. Furthermore, 6,485 classrooms and 4,453 teacher research rooms have been completed, and spaces outside schools have also been secured through cooperation with education offices and local governments.
Along with this, the Ministry of Education explained that 39,118 customized programs for first graders and 35,433 instructors have also been prepared. Cross-ministerial support will continue as well. Through the Neulbom School Cross-Ministerial Support Headquarters, 27 ministries and agencies including the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Rural Development Administration will provide a total of 562 types of second-semester Neulbom programs, while the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Health and Welfare will support auxiliary personnel.
Special schools will also provide customized support for the participation of students with disabilities in Neulbom School. Neulbom support personnel will also be provided to students with disabilities attending general schools.
To establish a dedicated system for Neulbom School next year, 'Neulbom Support Directors,' who will manage Neulbom School at each school, will be newly appointed as local government officials starting next year. To operate Neulbom School in line with educational purposes while minimizing the impact on the existing educational public official personnel system, they will be appointed as term-appointed educational researchers, a professional education position. They will serve a two-year term and be selected from among teachers. After the term ends, they will return to their original teaching positions.
The Ministry of Education explained that by last month, a total demand for about 2,500 Neulbom Support Directors across all cities and provinces had been submitted. To ensure the system's stabilization, the quota will be reflected gradually over 2 to 3 years. Detailed plans for the selection, placement, and operation of Neulbom Support Directors are also being prepared so that they can be assigned to each school starting early next year.
In response to a question about "some schools experiencing difficulties in hiring Neulbom School instructors," Vice Minister Oh said, "Education support offices are directly preparing additional measures and support for those who resign," and added, "In the second semester, we have already organized any issues by sector and conducted a demand survey in June and July. We are currently preparing program operation and administrative support based on the demand survey, so overall, it is confirmed that things are progressing steadily."
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