A new 180-member policy think tank has officially launched to outline the next four years of Seoul's education under Superintendent Jeong Geun-sik. Jeong emphasized that this committee is not a unilateral decision-making body but an open governance structure designed to gather input from the community and stakeholders, marking the beginning of a significant reform in educational promises.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education held the inaugural meeting of the "Learning is Happy Seoul Education Committee" on June 17 at 1:30 p.m. in the conference room of the new office in Yongsan-gu, kicking off efforts to develop a concrete vision for Seoul's education.
The committee will focus on two main tasks: establishing a direction for Seoul's education and translating Superintendent Jeong's promises into actionable policies. It will operate intensively for 44 days, concluding on July 30.
Kim Jae-hyung, a former Supreme Court Justice and current professor at Seoul National University’s Law School, has been appointed as the chair of the committee, with Ham Young-ki, former head of the Education Policy Division at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, serving as vice chair. The committee is structured with a steering committee (12 members), an advisory committee (19 members), specialized committees (21 subcommittees), and special committees (3), totaling 180 members.
The 21 specialized subcommittees will focus on implementing Jeong's five key promises, which include: completing constitutionally guaranteed free education, promoting mental health and community recovery, effectively utilizing artificial intelligence, strengthening learning safety nets, and establishing a "Reading Seoul" ecosystem connecting schools, communities, and cities.
After attending a session at the Seoul City Council, Superintendent Jeong joined the inaugural meeting and emphasized the importance of the committee's openness and communication with the community. He stated, "I hope that not only the committee's composition is open, but also that the voices of citizens and everyone who wishes for the advancement of education in our country are fully reflected in the committee's work."
He added, "This committee is not driven by a single individual but is a starting point for establishing 'joint planning, joint implementation, and joint evaluation' through thorough discussions. I urge everyone to work together to ensure that the proposed tasks lead to substantial changes in Seoul's education."
Recently elected as the 11th president of the National Association of Education Superintendents of Korea, Jeong expressed his hope that the Seoul committee would operate more effectively than those in other regions.
Chairman Kim Jae-hyung articulated an education philosophy rooted in constitutional principles, highlighting the importance of education as a right rather than a privilege. He referenced Article 31 of the South Korean Constitution, stating, "Education is not a matter of charity but a fundamental right, and basic education must be prioritized as essential to human life, just like housing, healthcare, and caregiving."
He further committed to ensuring that the promises made are approached from the perspective of whether they genuinely uphold the rights of students, parents, and teachers, pledging thorough verification of the commitments in accordance with constitutional mandates.
The committee plans to enhance the quality of its implementation plans through focused discussions in each subcommittee, with the final results to be compiled into a white paper and transparently shared with the public within 30 days after the committee's activities conclude.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education held the inaugural meeting of the "Learning is Happy Seoul Education Committee" on June 17 at 1:30 p.m. in the conference room of the new office in Yongsan-gu, kicking off efforts to develop a concrete vision for Seoul's education.
The committee will focus on two main tasks: establishing a direction for Seoul's education and translating Superintendent Jeong's promises into actionable policies. It will operate intensively for 44 days, concluding on July 30.
Kim Jae-hyung, a former Supreme Court Justice and current professor at Seoul National University’s Law School, has been appointed as the chair of the committee, with Ham Young-ki, former head of the Education Policy Division at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, serving as vice chair. The committee is structured with a steering committee (12 members), an advisory committee (19 members), specialized committees (21 subcommittees), and special committees (3), totaling 180 members.
The 21 specialized subcommittees will focus on implementing Jeong's five key promises, which include: completing constitutionally guaranteed free education, promoting mental health and community recovery, effectively utilizing artificial intelligence, strengthening learning safety nets, and establishing a "Reading Seoul" ecosystem connecting schools, communities, and cities.
After attending a session at the Seoul City Council, Superintendent Jeong joined the inaugural meeting and emphasized the importance of the committee's openness and communication with the community. He stated, "I hope that not only the committee's composition is open, but also that the voices of citizens and everyone who wishes for the advancement of education in our country are fully reflected in the committee's work."
He added, "This committee is not driven by a single individual but is a starting point for establishing 'joint planning, joint implementation, and joint evaluation' through thorough discussions. I urge everyone to work together to ensure that the proposed tasks lead to substantial changes in Seoul's education."
Recently elected as the 11th president of the National Association of Education Superintendents of Korea, Jeong expressed his hope that the Seoul committee would operate more effectively than those in other regions.
Chairman Kim Jae-hyung articulated an education philosophy rooted in constitutional principles, highlighting the importance of education as a right rather than a privilege. He referenced Article 31 of the South Korean Constitution, stating, "Education is not a matter of charity but a fundamental right, and basic education must be prioritized as essential to human life, just like housing, healthcare, and caregiving."
He further committed to ensuring that the promises made are approached from the perspective of whether they genuinely uphold the rights of students, parents, and teachers, pledging thorough verification of the commitments in accordance with constitutional mandates.
The committee plans to enhance the quality of its implementation plans through focused discussions in each subcommittee, with the final results to be compiled into a white paper and transparently shared with the public within 30 days after the committee's activities conclude.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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