Gwangju Students Ride the "May Bus" to the 5.18 Sites

Gwangju Office of Education Supports Experiential Learning for Elementary, Middle, and High Schools
Visits to National Cemetery and Other Historic Sites

Students in Gwangju will visit the sites of the May 18 Democratization Movement in person. Starting in April, the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education will operate the "May Bus" for two months to support experiential 5.18 education for students.

A character symbolizing the "May Bus." It embodies the symbol of the "May Bus," which runs to remember "May," when the May 18 Democratic Movement occurred in 1980, and to widely spread its spirit. As a May Bus visiting May 18 historical sites to promote experiential May 18 education, it plays a role in conveying the value of May 18 history and the May 18 Gwangju spirit to future generations. Provided by Gwangju Office of Education

According to the Gwangju Office of Education on the 20th, the "May Bus" is a program where students visit major historical sites such as the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery to learn about the significance of the democratization movement. The purpose is to expand 5.18 education beyond the classroom and into the region's historical sites.

From April 1 to May 30, the Gwangju Office of Education will operate 100 May Buses free of charge for elementary, middle, and high schools. Each school can use up to four buses for a maximum of six hours, and must submit a tour plan that includes a visit to the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery.

Other historical sites, such as Jeonil Building 245, the May 18 Democratization Movement Archives, and the May 18 Liberty Park, can be freely chosen and visited. Applications for the "May Bus" can be submitted on the Democracy and Human Rights Education Center website until the 21st.

As of now, since applications opened on the 6th, 41 schools have reserved 82 buses. The Office of Education expects that this hands-on education will allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the history and spirit of May 18.

Despite challenging financial circumstances, the city’s Office of Education is also pursuing new projects such as developing educational materials for the 5.18 commemoration and the "5.18 Globalization Program," in addition to operating the May Bus.

Superintendent Lee Jeongseon stated, "We will actively support students so they can learn and feel the significance of May 18 firsthand, beyond the classroom."