[Interview] Ryugyeonggi Jungnang-gu Mayor "Education is the Future"... Laying the Foundation for Growth through Public Education Support"

140 Billion KRW Education Budget, an Increase of 2 Billion KRW from Last Year
Focus on Expanding Educational Infrastructure, Including the Second Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center
From Reading 1,000 Books Before School to Establishing 77 Libraries
Spreading the 'Reading Jungnang' Campaign

"As a result of consistent support for public education, the admission rate to four-year universities in the Seoul area, which was 24% in 2018, has increased to 44% this year. We will continue to generously support academic improvement through self-directed learning and the reduction of educational disparities."

Ryu Gyeong-gi, Mayor of Jungnang District, emphasized in an interview held on the 27th that education is the most valuable investment for the future, naming "education" as the area he has focused on most during his eight years leading the district administration.

Based on his belief that "education is the future," Mayor Ryu has significantly expanded subsidies for school education expenses. He stated, "In my first year in office, 2018, the education expense subsidy was only 3.8 billion KRW. However, we have steadily increased investment every year, expanding it to 14 billion KRW this year. This is the third largest amount among Seoul's autonomous districts, and considering financial independence, it can be seen as the most proactive investment."

This educational investment has translated into various support programs. Currently, 82 elementary, middle, high schools, and kindergartens are implementing diverse educational support projects such as after-school learning, basic academic skills enhancement programs, autonomous study room operations, and dinner support for low-income students. Efforts are also being made to improve the educational environment through the establishment of the Kkumdam Library, makerspaces, and playground remodeling.

In 2025, customized support reflecting the needs of the educational field will be expanded. Budgets of 7 billion KRW for academic improvement projects, 5 billion KRW for school environment improvements, and 2 billion KRW for other projects will be utilized. Especially, various new projects such as the operation of the high school credit system, expansion of school library staff, operation of hope buses, and establishment of sharing cafes and media centers will be promoted.

Additionally, 5 billion KRW is allocated for eco-friendly free school meals, 3.3 billion KRW for free high school education, and 350 million KRW for elementary, middle, and high school entrance preparation funds, continuously striving to alleviate the practical educational burdens on students and parents.

Active efforts are also underway to expand educational infrastructure. In May 2021, the 'Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center,' the eighth education support center in Seoul and the largest in an autonomous district, was opened. This center operates various programs that public education has not fully covered, such as college admission counseling, parent education, and career education, and has welcomed 170,000 visitors since its opening.

To meet the high educational demand confirmed through the operation of the Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center, the 'Second Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center' is scheduled to open in Myeonmok-dong by the end of this year. The second center plans to offer programs focused on basic sciences such as physics, chemistry, and biology, as well as AI-related programs like robot coding. Once opened, Jungnang District will be the only autonomous district in Seoul operating two education support centers.

Moreover, through two media centers (Myeonmok and Yangwon) and the Youth Culture and Arts Creation Center, students are supported to experience media and cultural arts in various ways. The district is also preparing to open a public astronomical science museum in 2026. Mayor Ryu added, "Jungnang District will strive to broaden learning opportunities so that children can discover their talents and nurture their dreams, becoming a solid foundation for their growth."

The district is also leading the promotion of a reading culture through the 'Reading Jungnang' campaign. In particular, the '1,000 Books Before School' project has received high praise from parents. This project encourages children aged 5 to 7 to read one book daily for three years, providing opportunities for children to become familiar with books from an early age and naturally experience the joy of reading. So far, 12,714 participants have joined, with 562 children successfully completing the 1,000-book challenge. Mayor Ryu stated, "This experience will serve as a starting point for learning and play an important role in helping children develop the ability to explore independently," adding, "We plan to expand this program through elementary and middle school to realize 'Reading Jungnang.'"

Efforts are also focused on creating 'libraries within a 10-minute walk from home.' As a result, the number of libraries has nearly doubled from 43 to 77 in six years. Libraries have been established throughout neighborhoods regardless of size, and an active interlibrary loan service with other local libraries has been implemented to ensure that anyone can easily access desired books. The Jungnang Literature Library, opened in January, is an example that goes beyond mere expansion, showing the district's focus on qualitative improvement by creating specialized libraries tailored to local characteristics. Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said, "Investment in education is not just a cost but the most valuable investment for the future. We will continue to expand support so that children in Jungnang District do not miss learning opportunities wherever they are."