Wando Office of Education and Wando County Hold Council Meeting to Discuss Global Talent Development

Reviewing Overseas Experience Programs, School Facility Investments, and Rural Study-Abroad Initiatives

The Wando Office of Education and Wando County held the 'Wando County Local Education Administration Council' in the small conference room of the Office of Education on December 12 to discuss cooperation plans for major educational projects in 2026.

The meeting was attended by Superintendent Lee Cheolyeong, Deputy County Governor Lee Beomwoo, and 12 other council members, including Jeong Inho, Director of the Population and Employment Policy Office. The council focused on promoting large-scale school projects and operating global talent development programs.

Wando Office of Education and Wando County held the 'Local Education Administration Council' to discuss plans for major educational projects for the next year. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

The Office of Education proposed a global competency enhancement overseas education and cultural experience program for 50 local middle school students in the first half of next year. This project, with a total budget of 100 million won, is contingent upon support from the local government. The office also plans to continue the global gifted student overseas study program and the Vietnam education exchange project.

The need for the county to make responsive investments in large-scale school projects, such as the expansion of the multipurpose classroom at Bogil Elementary School and the construction of playgrounds at Gogeum Elementary School and Nohwa Elementary School in 2026, was also raised. The meeting also discussed ways to utilize schools scheduled for closure due to declining student numbers. With the closures of Nohwa Central Elementary School and Cheongsan Middle School planned, Wando County will consider the possibility of selling the closed school sites.

Measures to promote study-abroad programs in rural and fishing villages were also discussed. Key topics included creating a study-abroad complex centered on Gunoe Elementary School, providing housing support for newly transferred teachers, and expanding living expense support for students. Under this program, the Provincial Office of Education provides 300,000 won per month and Wando County provides 400,000 won per month to each student. For next year, Gunoe Elementary School, Sinji Elementary School, and Saengyeong Elementary School are being considered as participating schools.

All of the issues discussed at the meeting were requests from the Office of Education for Wando County to review. Final decisions will be made after internal review by the county and consultations with relevant departments.

Superintendent Lee Cheolyeong stated, "We held this meeting to create conditions for students in Wando to grow into global talents," and added, "We will continue to work closely with Wando County to do our best for the future of education in Wando."

Deputy County Governor Lee Beomwoo commented, "This year, Wando was designated as a special education development zone. I fully understand the intent of the Office of Education's proposals for nurturing local talent," and said, "We will comprehensively review financial issues and the effectiveness of the projects before finalizing our position."