Focusing on the School Branding Program
Jongno-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jung Moonheun) is responding to the declining school-age population by providing 2.225 billion won in support for 217 projects at kindergartens and 57 schools within the district and launching a comprehensive overhaul of the educational system. The core initiatives for this year are the introduction of the "School Branding Program" and the expansion of the "Small School Integrated After-School Program."
The Jongno Small School Soccer Festival held last June at Jaedong Elementary School. Provided by Jongno-gu.
The School Branding Program targets 13 elementary schools in the district, providing up to 30 million won per school for at least three years. The aim is to systematize each school's unique educational philosophy and strengths and to foster the school’s brand from a mid- to long-term perspective.
At Segumjeong Elementary School, the entire student body participates in the "Mozart Project," learning a variety of musical instruments in stages over six years. First and second graders learn rhythm with the djembe and kalimba; third and fourth graders play the ukulele and violin; and sixth graders learn acoustic guitar.
Other programs that reflect each school's identity, such as "Love School, Love Math" at Sangmyung University Elementary School, "Physical AI Education for the Future" at Hyoje Elementary School, and "Hanbok Etiquette Education" at Jaedong Elementary School, are also being supported.
The integrated after-school program for small-scale schools is also being expanded. After receiving positive feedback during its pilot operation from September to December last year, it will now run throughout both semesters starting this year. The program will also expand from the previous single Samulnori (traditional Korean percussion) class to two types: Samulnori and soccer. By operating joint programs among schools, the initiative aims to overcome the challenge of forming teams for group activities due to the declining number of students. Additionally, plans are in place to host the Ullim Soripae Samulnori performance and the Small School Soccer Festival to further promote exchanges between schools.
The district also plans to expand the scale of school facility improvement projects and strengthen support for club activities and future science education to better assist students in exploring their individual aptitudes and career paths.
District Mayor Jung Moonheun stated, "While the decline in the school-age population is an inevitable change, it is also an opportunity to enhance the quality of public education. We will present a new model for urban public education so that schools can become more competitive and grow into institutions of choice."
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