Sinmun Elementary School, whose opening was delayed due to the postponement of the Jangyu Sinmun District urban development project in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, will open its doors on September 1.
The Gyeongnam Office of Education announced on August 28 that Sinmun Elementary School has received final construction approval and completed all preparations for opening, including classrooms, cafeteria, school bus operations, and designation of a child protection zone, and will welcome students on that day.
Teacher assignments have also been finalized, allowing 345 students across 19 classes to begin regular classes on September 1. Both the Neulbom School program and cafeteria operations will proceed as normal.
Gimhae Jangyu Sinmun Elementary School in Gyeongnam, completed and about to open. Provided by Gyeongnam Office of Education
Sinmun Elementary School was established as part of the Jangyu Sinmun District urban development project, with the Yulha IEL Regional Housing Cooperative constructing the school in the Sinmun-dong area and then donating it to the Gyeongnam Office of Education for its opening.
The school was originally scheduled to open on March 1 this year, but the development project period was extended by two years, from December 2023 to December 2025, causing difficulties in securing the school site and urban infrastructure such as water and sewage systems.
Additionally, as the school was built in the middle of an active construction site, concerns were raised about dust, noise, and the safety of routes to school.
With the establishment schedule delayed, the provincial Office of Education distributed students to four other schools, including Seokbong Elementary School and Deokjeong Elementary School, from March 1, and implemented measures such as operating school buses and installing safety fences along school routes.
The Office of Education stated, "Although there was confusion recently due to internal conflicts within the cooperative and issues regarding construction cost calculation, a solution was reached at an emergency meeting of relevant agencies led by the provincial Office of Education on August 25, and a consensus was formed to prioritize guaranteeing students' right to learn."
Furthermore, after the school opens, support will be strengthened to ensure early stabilization of operations, and communication with parents will be expanded in order to restore trust within the educational community.
Lee Dongchun, Director of School Support, said, "We are focusing all administrative efforts on ensuring the normal opening of Sinmun Elementary School, with the highest priority on guaranteeing students' right to learn. We will work to alleviate parents' concerns and create a safe educational environment where children can go to school with a smile."
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