In response to the declining school-age population and educational conditions in border areas, Hwacheon County, the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Education Office, and the Hwacheon Education Support Office are jointly addressing the call for education innovation leading areas.
On August 14, Hwacheon County announced that the three institutions signed a memorandum of understanding at the Hwacheon County Office to establish a cooperative system for the designation of education innovation leading areas.
The signing ceremony was attended by Hwacheon County Mayor Kim Se-hoon, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Education Superintendent Kang Sam-young, and Hwacheon Education Support Office Director Park Seong-gwan, who all signed the agreement.
The three institutions agreed to develop an education innovation model tailored to local conditions and to work together to foster local talent and improve educational and residential conditions.
Key areas of collaboration include establishing operational plans for education innovation leading areas, creating customized education innovation models, and fostering an educational ecosystem through the innovation of small schools.
In particular, they plan to develop a 'Hwacheon-type linked curriculum' that reflects the geographical characteristics of the border area and the declining school-age population, aiming to implement it in schools. They will also explore ways to connect educational resources between schools and expand cooperation among small schools.
The Hwacheon area faces challenges as individual schools struggle to operate diverse curricula and experiential activities due to a decrease in student numbers. To prevent a vicious cycle where declining student numbers lead to reduced school operations and families leaving the area, a system for jointly utilizing educational resources among schools, local governments, and communities is necessary.
Being designated as an education innovation leading area is expected to enhance the foundation for expanding joint curricula among schools and local specialized programs, as well as linking personnel and facilities between local governments and educational institutions. The Ministry of Education plans to provide up to 2 billion won annually in special grants for selected areas for a maximum of five years.
Mayor Kim Se-hoon stated, “This agreement is the first step in providing a higher quality educational environment for Hwacheon children and creating a virtuous cycle educational ecosystem where local talent stays and grows in Hwacheon. We will spare no administrative support to ensure we are designated as an education innovation leading area.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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