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The Seoul Metropolitan Government is expanding lifelong education to help 'borderline intellectual functioning individuals' establish themselves as confident members of society. In particular, they plan to support economic independence through employment education, job linkage, and financial education.
On the 24th, Seoul announced that starting next year, it will expand and strengthen lifelong education for borderline intellectual functioning individuals and their families to provide systematic support. This is a follow-up measure after enacting the nation's first 'Lifelong Education Support Ordinance for Borderline Intellectual Functioning Individuals' in October 2020 and opening the 'Seoul Borderline Intellectual Functioning Lifelong Education Support Center (MIM Center)' in June 2022.
Interior view of the 'Cheoncheonhi Seongjang Kkumteo' created by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to support individuals with borderline intellectual functioning. Provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government
Borderline intellectual functioning individuals are not intellectually disabled (IQ 70 or below) but fall within the borderline range (IQ 71?84), slightly below average intelligence, facing difficulties in academics, social life, and employment. However, since they do not officially qualify as disabled, they are often left in a support blind spot. It is estimated that there are currently 1.27 million borderline intellectual functioning individuals in Seoul.
Accordingly, Seoul plans to provide three types of lifelong education support: ▲employment education ▲financial education ▲psychological therapy (education). First, to support employment for borderline intellectual functioning individuals, self-awareness and vocational aptitude education to help with career setting will be expanded from about 1,000 people this year to 1,500 next year. Along with this, focused training will be conducted for young borderline intellectual functioning individuals in barista skills, data labeling, urban beekeeping, resource circulation job development, and computer skills to help their social participation.
The 'financial education' previously provided to borderline intellectual functioning youth and their parents will be expanded to include children and adolescents with borderline intellectual functioning. In cooperation with the mobile financial service company 'Toss,' the program will focus on essential real-life information, from forming proper consumption habits to preventing increasingly sophisticated financial fraud.
The number of children receiving counseling and art therapy for emotional stability will also increase. The plan is to raise the number from about 750 this year to over 1,000 next year. Seoul added that early detection and treatment are especially important because children with borderline intellectual functioning are often emotionally withdrawn or have negative feelings due to being easily influenced by others' perceptions. Family education will be provided to parents of borderline intellectual functioning individuals to teach desirable parenting attitudes and daily life guidance methods, along with family function enhancement programs to improve relationships between borderline intellectual functioning individuals and their parents.
In line with this, Seoul will open and begin full operation of the dedicated space 'Cheoncheonhi Seongjang Kkumteo (Slow Growth Dream Space, 91.24㎡)' within the MIM Center on the 24th to help the psychological stability and emotional difficulties of borderline intellectual functioning individuals. 'Cheoncheonhi Seongjang Kkumteo' signifies a space that respects the growth process of borderline intellectual functioning individuals and nurtures their dreams slowly and healthily, funded by a donation from 'Toss.'
Additionally, on the same day, the 'MIM Center Hwaljjak Day,' an open house event where participants can experience the expanded lifelong education for borderline intellectual functioning individuals starting next year, will be held. The event will include a business agreement for systematic support of borderline intellectual functioning individuals, the opening ceremony of 'Cheoncheonhi Seongjang Kkumteo,' a meeting with borderline intellectual functioning youth, and financial education for parents. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon will also attend in person to support the changes and growth of borderline intellectual functioning individuals.
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