Student F from School E was on the brink of dropping out due to severe emotional difficulties, including frequent absences and self-harm. However, proactive early detection by the education office led to intervention from the local student-customized integrated support center and specialized medical institutions, resulting in a dramatic turnaround. Now receiving free professional treatment and psychological counseling weekly, Student F has regained emotional stability and continues a positive school life without family accompaniment.
Similarly, Student B from School A, who exhibited disruptive behavior and frequent classroom exits due to ADHD and a lack of family support, also experienced a miraculous recovery. At the school's request, a 'Student Customized Integrated Support Council' was formed, involving seven agencies, including the support center, educational welfare center, and police. This led to prompt emotional and behavioral therapy and parenting coaching, helping Student B adapt to school. Student D from School C, who had shown extreme refusal to participate in classes and exhibited violent behavior, overcame his crisis after an emergency referral through the 'Sen Call' service, receiving dedicated personnel, psychological assessments, and integrated support through cognitive and play therapy.
To assist students facing complex crises, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has successfully implemented a 'one-stop student-customized integrated support' system, yielding visible results. In the first half of this year, the number of students receiving such tailored support surged 4.7 times compared to the same period last year, establishing a robust safety net in schools.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, a total of 528 students received integrated support for complex difficulties through the regional student-customized integrated support center from March to June this year. This figure represents a significant increase of 4.7 times compared to the same period last year, attributed to the stable establishment of the one-stop system following the full implementation of the Student Customized Integrated Support Act in March.
The largest share of support was in the 'psychological and emotional' category, accounting for 41% (380 students). This was followed by 'family support and others' at 28% (256 students), 'basic academic skills' at 10% (93 students), 'dropout prevention' at 8% (72 students), and 'economic support' at 7% (68 students). Most students received simultaneous customized support across two or more areas based on their individual crisis situations.
The success of this initiative is attributed not only to the active utilization of direct and commissioned agencies such as educational welfare centers, Wee Centers, and learning diagnostic growth centers but also to the establishment of a dense cooperative network with local relevant institutions, including youth counseling and welfare centers, mental health centers, and family centers.
Notably, the newly introduced 'Sen Call' service has significantly improved accessibility in schools. This location-based telephone service automatically connects callers to the appropriate regional center, enabling quicker referrals in urgent situations where schools cannot resolve issues independently. In fact, 64.4% of all referrals were made by phone, with over half utilizing the 'Sen Call' service.
Superintendent Jeong Geun-sik emphasized, "The one-stop support system at the regional student-customized integrated support center allows us to quickly identify and assist students facing complex difficulties. We will continue to build a more comprehensive student-customized integrated support system to ensure that no student is left behind in learning and growth."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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