Chungnam Office of Education Achieves Multiple Benefits with 'Awakening Sleeping Instruments Project'

Transferred to Other Schools, Leading to One-Student-One-Instrument Education
and Operation of Student Orchestras

Students at Cheonan Sinbu Elementary School learning to play instruments supported by the 'Awakening Sleeping Instruments Project,' actively promoted by the Chungnam Office of Education this year. / Provided by Chungnam Office of Education

The 'Awakening Sleeping Instruments Project,' promoted by the Chungnam Office of Education since March this year, has achieved multiple outcomes, including revitalizing the one-student-one-instrument education initiative, supporting the operation of student orchestras, and reducing budget expenditures.

The 'Awakening Sleeping Instruments Project' is a program that allows schools to lend, transfer management of, or reassign unused instruments in their possession to other schools in need, so that these instruments can be put to use.

To this end, at the beginning of this year, the Office of Education surveyed the status of unused instruments stored at schools throughout the province. As a result, it identified 1,668 unused instruments at over 60 kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools as 'sleeping instruments.'

The Office of Education then identified schools in need of instruments and transferred management of 415 instruments to 76 schools, where they are now being used for students' music education.

This has contributed significantly to creating an environment in which every student can learn to play at least one instrument, thereby realizing the goal of 'one-student-one-instrument education.'

Previously, many schools that needed instrument education were unable to offer sufficient classes due to the financial burden of purchasing instruments. With the support of unused instruments, these schools are now able to open a variety of music classes and help students cultivate their musical abilities.

The project has also played a major role in the establishment and revitalization of student orchestras. For example, an elementary school in Cheonan, which had stopped operating its student orchestra two years ago, transferred all its stored instruments to Cheonan Sinbu Elementary School, leading to the formation of a new student orchestra with over 40 participants.

To further maximize the impact of the 'Awakening Sleeping Instruments Project,' the Office of Education is considering allocating arts education budget support to schools that actively participate in the project. For schools with outstanding operations, the Office plans to provide actual cost support for instrument transportation and repair within the budget limits.

Kim Hongje, Director of Secondary Education at the Chungnam Office of Education, stated, "The 'Awakening Sleeping Instruments Project' is an innovative model that goes beyond simple instrument recycling to achieve both budget savings and educational benefits." He added, "We will further promote and actively support this project so that every student in Chungnam can nurture their dreams through music."