Ko Taejin Transfers Three Children to Gwangmyeong Elementary After Military Service... Student Body Grows to 13
Integrated Alumni Association Awards 12 Million Won in Academic Encouragement Funds to Four New Students
Gwangmyeong Elementary School on Wonsando Island, Boryeong City, Chungnam Province, which once faced the risk of closure, has regained its vitality thanks to newly enrolled students.
Gwangmyeong Elementary was on the verge of being downgraded to a branch school due to difficulties in recruiting new students, but with new enrollments for two consecutive years, it has managed to remain the island’s only school.
In particular, after Ko Taejin (42) and his family moved to Wonsando following his military service in Gangwon Province, a total of nine people, including Ko and his wife and their seven children, relocated to the island, and three of their children transferred to Gwangmyeong Elementary.
Additionally, Ko Yurim (8), the sixth daughter, enrolled as a new student this March, bringing new energy to the school.
The number of students at Gwangmyeong Elementary has now increased to 13, and the local community and alumni association are actively working to keep the school alive.
The integrated alumni association has generously provided scholarships to attract new students, awarding a total of 12 million won in academic encouragement funds to four new students this year.
The school also gifted Ko Yurim a pair of Nike shoes and a school store mileage card valid for six years, and the principal personally read a congratulatory letter in a warm welcome event.
Gwangmyeong Elementary is enhancing its curriculum beyond regular classes by strengthening experiential learning and English education programs. Currently, students are taking video English lessons with foreigners, and the school plans to further develop its English specialization by hiring a native English-speaking teacher in the future.
However, a lack of housing for relocating families remains an obstacle to the school’s continued operation.
Shin Secheol (69), president of the integrated alumni association, said, "There are many students who wish to enroll at Gwangmyeong Elementary, but they cannot come because there are no houses available. If the city could provide rental housing to help these families settle, it would greatly help maintain the school."
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