Jeonnam Office of Education to Strengthen 'Glocal Reading and Humanities Education'

Kim Dae-jung Reading Classroom and Youth Writer Workshop to Be Operated

The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education announced on the 19th that, taking the occasion of writer Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature, it will further strengthen 'glocal reading and humanities education' led by schools and local communities starting next year.

Programs such as the Kim Daejung Reading Class, Youth Writers’ Workshop, and the operation of regional school library support centers are drawing attention as part of the 'glocal reading and humanities education' led by schools and communities. The 'Kim Daejung Reading Class' is a specialized reading and humanities education class that continues the spirit of the late President Kim Daejung, who practiced peace, and is centered on reading and discussion. The 'Youth Writers’ Workshop' offers reading and writing classes that connect the zeitgeist of Han Kang, who spoke about the value of coexistence, with the local humanities specialization.

The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education will strengthen 'Glocal Reading and Humanities Education' led by schools and local communities starting next year, following the Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to author Han Kang. Provided by Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education

The provincial office of education established the nation’s first dedicated reading and humanities education team and operates a variety of programs such as 'Morning Opened by Books,' 'Reading and Humanities School,' and 'I Am Also a Writer Project.' These programs create an educational environment where students think, ask questions, and find answers on their own. Next year, the plan is to strengthen reading and humanities programs led by schools and communities, and to operate the 'Jeonnam Reading and Humanities School,' which explores Jeonnam’s values, literature, history, and arts, as well as 'Local Reading and Humanities Classes' tailored to local conditions.

In addition, all schools in the province will receive support for operating reading and humanities education programs, allowing them to select and run unique programs autonomously. There are also plans to expand regional school library support centers to revitalize school libraries.

To this end, the provincial office of education held briefing sessions by region for kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school staff to share the direction of Jeonnam’s reading and humanities education for 2025.

Park Jun, Director of Future Education, said, “Han Kang's Nobel Prize has become an opportunity to showcase Jeonnam’s humanities capabilities to the world,” and urged, “We hope that by operating distinctive and substantial reading and humanities education based on the autonomy of schools and communities, we can foster the next Han Kang and many more.”