Mayor Baek Kyunghyun: "Making Guri a Great Place to Raise Children... Full Efforts for New Office of Education"

Guri City Takes a Step Closer to Establishing Guri Office of Education
Foundation Laid Through Amendment of Local Educational Autonomy Act
Accelerating Efforts with Council Formation... Anticipating Improvements in Future Educational Environment

Guri City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Baek Kyunghyun) announced on the 7th that it will accelerate preparations for the establishment of the Guri Office of Education, following the passage of a partial amendment to the "Local Educational Autonomy Act" at the National Assembly plenary session on October 26.

Attendees including Baek Kyung-hyun, Mayor of Guri, held the "Guri Office of Education Establishment Promotion Council Plaque Ceremony" on March 24. Provided by Guri City

With this amendment, a legal basis has been established for determining the jurisdiction and operation of education offices through municipal and provincial ordinances, allowing Guri City to secure the administrative foundation necessary for the establishment process.

Guri City is expecting a population increase due to large-scale development projects such as the development of the Galmae Station area and the creation of the Topyeong 2 public housing district. As a result, issues such as the need to secure learning spaces through the establishment and expansion of schools and the rising demand for education are becoming more apparent, making the establishment of the Guri Office of Education an urgent matter.

In response, the city has taken proactive measures even before the legal amendment. In 2023, Guri City, together with the Guri-Namyangju Office of Education, formed a regional council and a working-level task force to begin discussions. In December 2024, a meeting involving Guri City, the Guri-Namyangju Office of Education, and the Gyeonggi Provincial Council was held to establish a close cooperation system.

In March of this year, the city held a plaque ceremony for the promotion council and set up a meeting space within City Hall. The working-level task force meetings have been regularized on a quarterly basis, with meetings held in April and August. In addition, Guri City is continuously coordinating with the Office of Education on specific matters such as securing temporary office space and land for the new office building.

Furthermore, by the end of the year, the city plans to strengthen public support by conducting a promotional campaign for the establishment of the Office of Education, led by the Guri Student Guardian Support Group.

A Guri City official stated, "Once the Office of Education is established, it will be possible to provide customized educational administration support that reflects the characteristics of Guri City, and the quality of educational services offered to students and parents will be greatly improved."

Mayor Baek Kyunghyun said, "Guri City is making active efforts to become a city that is ideal for raising children and an advanced educational city," adding, "We will thoroughly prepare the necessary administrative procedures in line with the intent of the legal amendment and do our utmost to establish the Guri Office of Education."