If the community loses its school, there would be almost no hope of bringing in young families. That is why Cheontae Elementary recently began taking part in a program that brings students from the capital city of Seoul to study in the countryside.
GURYE, South Jeolla Province - Several teachers of Jungdong Elementary School, deep in the countryside of South Jeolla Province, are busy setting up three barbecues at the school s.
Wrapping up his interview with The Korea Times on Tuesday, Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon asked the reporter a favor: he wanted his story published full-page with lots of pictures showing Seoul kids enjoying their time in rural villages of Jeolla provinces with new teachers, friends and neighborhoods that are naturally well-preserved. Cho has high hopes. Having introduced a live-and-study-countryside program for elementary and middle school students in Seoul two years ago, he wants it promoted not just within the country but also outside Korea. Cho first launched the program - his brainchild - in 2021 in partnership with the Jeollanamdo Office of Education in South Jeolla Province.