Gwangju Office of Education Guarantees Right to Education for Undocumented Migrant Children

"Respecting Diversity and Inclusiveness...
Strengthening Customized Educational Support"

The Gwangju Office of Education will ensure that undocumented migrant children can continue their studies in elementary, middle, and high schools even if the Ministry of Justice's 'Conditional Residency Status Grant System for Long-term Foreign Resident Children' ends at the end of March.

Gwangju Office of Education building.

According to the Office of Education on the 13th, it has requested the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Justice to establish a system to legally guarantee these children's right to education. Measures will be discussed at the National Council of Metropolitan and Provincial Superintendents General Assembly on the 27th, and the Office has also called for a joint meeting between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Justice, and local education offices.

The Gwangju Office of Education is strengthening its multicultural education policy. It is promoting the third phase (2023-2027) of the Gwangsan-gu Education Internationalization Special Zone project, providing customized support and one-stop public education entry services for students from migrant backgrounds. The Office offers school admission, learning support, psychological and emotional counseling, and operates preparatory classes in Korean language and culture for mid-immigrant and foreign students at the multicultural education support center 'Dagachi Education Center.'

Schools operating Korean language classes (KSL curriculum) provide intensive education, while those not offering such classes receive support through 'visiting Korean language education.' Mentoring programs are run after school and during vacations to help students acquire academic and everyday Korean. In May, a Gwangju-style Korean language learning app will be distributed to support language adaptation.

Career and academic advancement programs for students from migrant backgrounds, such as 'Dagachi Career Special Lecture,' psychological and emotional support through 'Dream Mentoring,' and global competency enhancement with 'Dagachi World Tour,' are also underway.

Superintendent Lee Jungseon stated, "We will support all students so they can receive education without discrimination," and added, "We will do our best to create a society where diversity and inclusiveness are respected."