Sangil Girls' High School Students Propose Improvements
"Creating a Safer Route to and from School"
In Seo-gu, Gwangju, a student safety initiative was recently implemented after a complaint submitted through the district’s main communication channel, ‘Baro Munja Harangke’, led to a swift administrative response and the creation of a safer route for students commuting to and from school.
On the 6th, Seo-gu, Gwangju conducted an on-site inspection near the main gate of Sangil Girls' High School to improve the pedestrian environment on the way to school. Provided by Seo-gu, Gwangju
According to Seo-gu on November 6, on September 23, the student council, parents, and staff of Sangil Girls' High School used ‘Baro Munja Harangke’ to voice concerns that the pedestrian fence in front of the school’s main gate forced students to walk along the roadway. They requested the partial removal of the fence and the installation of a median barrier to ensure a safer commute for students.
A pedestrian fence had been installed in front of the main gate of Sangil Girls' High School to prevent jaywalking. However, because students getting off school buses could not access the sidewalk directly, they repeatedly faced the dangerous situation of having to walk along the road to reach the school gate.
Seo-gu responded immediately upon receiving the complaint, visiting the site to assess the issue and gather feedback from students, teachers, and local residents. The district determined that simply removing the fence could lead to secondary accidents such as jaywalking. Therefore, Seo-gu conducted a joint on-site inspection with relevant agencies, including the Gwangju Metropolitan City and the Seobu Police Station, to devise a practical and safe improvement plan.
As a result of discussions with related agencies, the district finalized a plan to remove a 68-meter section of the pedestrian fence and install a new 120-meter median barrier in the center of the road. This approach was designed to improve convenience for students while also enhancing pedestrian safety.
The construction was completed in early November, and on the morning of November 6, Seo-gu Mayor Kim Ikang and other officials conducted a final inspection of the newly transformed route to school. Students expressed their satisfaction, saying, “We feel much more at ease now that we don’t have to walk on the road.”
Mayor Kim Ikang commented, “Being able to hear about the inconvenience directly on-site and work together to find a solution was possible thanks to the active participation of students and the cooperation of related agencies. We will continue to respond promptly to residents’ voices and implement practical, on-the-ground administration that finds answers in the field.”
Meanwhile, since August 2022, Seo-gu has operated ‘Baro Munja Harangke’, a direct text-messaging system to the district mayor, allowing residents to submit daily complaints and policy suggestions via text. The relevant departments review and take action within 48 hours and report the results back. After three years of operation, the system has surpassed 10,000 cumulative submissions and is recognized nationwide as a model for resident-centered, responsive administration.
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