'Only 16 Students Enrolled'... Administrative Notice Issued for Yeondong Middle School Relocation Plan

Relocation to Dasom-dong in the 5th Living Zone Scheduled by March 2029
Sejong City Office of Education Accepting Public Comments Until August 18

Graphic provided by the Financial Administration Division

The Sejong City Office of Education announced on July 29 that it has issued an administrative notice regarding the relocation and reorganization plan for Yeondong Middle School, which is currently located in Yeondong-myeon.

The relocation plan is being pursued because the continued decline in the school-age population and population movements resulting from the development of the Multifunctional Administrative City are expected to further accelerate the downsizing of Yeondong Middle School. According to the Office of Education, the school will be relocated to the 5-2 Living Zone (formerly Dasom-ri, Yeondong-myeon) to preserve its tradition and legacy, and to address the difficulties in operating the curriculum caused by the school's small size.

Due to the annual decrease in student numbers, Yeondong Middle School currently has a total of 16 students enrolled. Within the next five years, the number is expected to fall below 10, raising concerns about the possibility of the school closing naturally.

However, with the construction of the Smart City in the 5-1 Living Zone of the Multifunctional Administrative City, new schools such as the tentatively named Hapgang 1 Elementary School and Hapgang Middle School are being established, and there are plans to open additional schools in the 5-2 Living Zone (Dasom-dong) in 2029. Once residents begin moving into the 5 Living Zone in earnest, the population outflow from Yeondong-myeon is expected to accelerate, and the downsizing of Yeondong Middle School is likely to become even more severe.

Therefore, the Office of Education has determined that the relocation cannot be delayed and has drawn up a plan to relocate and newly establish the school on the site designated for the middle school in the 5-2 Living Zone, which is scheduled to open in 2029.

Yeondong Middle School will have a total of 35 classes, including 2 special education classes, accommodating 825 students. The relocation is scheduled to be completed in March 2029. After the relocation, the school will retain the name Yeondong Middle School, and student records and alumni associations will continue as before. The current Yeondong school district will be maintained until the relocation, after which, starting in March 2029, the school will operate under the 5th school district system, which combines Yeondong-myeon and the 5 Living Zone.

Institutions (organizations) or individuals who wish to submit opinions on this administrative notice may do so by completing the designated form posted on the website by August 18. For further details, inquiries can be directed to the Department of Financial Administration at the Office of Education.

Superintendent Choi Kyojin stated, "We ask for your understanding that relocating the school is unavoidable in order to improve the educational environment for students in Yeondong-myeon and to prevent the school from closing." He added, "After the official announcement is finalized, we will make every effort to ensure a rational and smooth relocation process through an advisory committee involving the educational community."