Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education Taehee Lim proposed cooperation on Korean language education programs, the expansion of online education, and mutual exchanges between teachers and students during a meeting with the Minister of Education of Kazakhstan.
On the 24th (local time), Superintendent Lim met with Minister of Education Gani Beisembayev at the Ministry of Education in Astana, Kazakhstan, and presented plans to gradually expand exchanges between the two regions.
Superintendent Lim first explained, "'Gyeonggi Korean Language School' is designed so that students with immigrant (multicultural) backgrounds in the province, as well as overseas students who want to learn Korean, can receive education easily and enjoyably," adding, "The program also provides bilingual and cultural diversity education, as well as psychological and emotional support."
He continued, "'Gyeonggi Online School' will be opened so that it can be accessed from anywhere in the world," and stated, "Gyeonggi Online School enables fair education at any time, in any place, and under any circumstances, overcoming the diverse regional characteristics of Gyeonggi Province, from urban areas to rural, mountainous, and fishing villages."
He also added, "To expand offline mutual exchanges between teachers and students of the two regions, let's support opportunities for teachers to meet in person and grow together, and further expand educational exchange cooperation to include student exchanges."
Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education Taehee Lim (left) shakes hands with Kazakhstan Minister of Education Gani Beisembayev on the 24th (local time). Provided by Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education
Minister Gani Beisembayev responded by saying, "Regional diversity, from advanced cities to rural, mountainous, and fishing villages, is a commonality between Gyeonggi Province and Kazakhstan," and added, "Because our country is vast, I am particularly interested in 'Gyeonggi Online School,' which allows students in small schools with fewer than 30 students to receive fair education."
The two also discussed topics such as changes in the educational environment due to birth rates, support for technical and vocational education, and plans to promote educational exchanges in three stages.
Minister Beisembayev suggested, "If the two institutions develop step-by-step plans for educational cooperation and monitor the results, we will be able to achieve meaningful outcomes. After today's meeting, let's form a working-level roundtable and provide strong support for our mutual benefit and development."
In response, Superintendent Lim said, "Some places consider signing a memorandum of understanding as the end, but for our Office of Education, it is a promise to begin working together."
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