In response to the rapidly changing demographic structure and the AI and digital era, there is a growing call for significant national investment in adult lifelong education. The National Institute for Lifelong Education (NILE) announced plans to hold the first-ever 'Korea Literacy Policy Exhibition' to present a new vision for lifelong learning, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of its adult literacy support program.
"With a declining school-age population and an increasing elderly demographic, a 1 trillion won budget for lifelong education is necessary"
During a press briefing on August 20 at NILE's smart conference room, Kim Wol-yong, the head of NILE, stressed the urgent need for increased funding for lifelong education.
Kim pointed out that there are 1.4 million people who cannot read Hangul and 4 million who lack digital skills, highlighting the significant number of uneducated seniors. He noted, "While substantial funds are allocated to primary and secondary education, the learning needs of adults who have graduated from school are being neglected, leading to increased intergenerational conflict and alienation. We must open up university and school infrastructure to the public and usher in an era of lifelong education with a budget of around 1 trillion won."
According to NILE data, the number of elementary, middle, and high school students in South Korea is projected to decrease by approximately 36% from 2005 to 2025, while the population aged 65 and older is expected to increase by 2.4 times. Furthermore, the results of the fourth adult literacy survey revealed that 7.35 million adults (16.6%) lack basic literacy skills necessary for daily life, and the first adult digital literacy survey indicated that 47.2% of adults, or 20.27 million people, struggle with using digital devices.
Kim emphasized the need for a two-track approach to education that utilizes retired teachers and opens university resources to the public, creating a comprehensive educational system that spans a lifetime.
20th Anniversary of Literacy Education: First 'Policy Exhibition' on August 27-28 in Cheongju
To share this policy necessity with the public, NILE will host the 'First Korea Literacy Policy Exhibition' from August 27 to 28 at the OSCO Convention Center in Cheongju, with the Ministry of Education as the organizer and the Chungcheongbuk-do provincial government as a sponsor. This exhibition will spotlight the achievements of the adult literacy support program since its inception in 2006.
Approximately 2,000 adult literacy learners from across the country are expected to attend the event, which will feature a documentary titled 'Learning Literacy' that captures the genuine journeys of learners achieving new dreams through education, as well as a musical gala show based on award-winning works from a national poetry contest.
Additionally, the exhibition will include an awards ceremony for the national adult literacy poetry contest, a conference aimed at enhancing the capabilities of literacy teachers, and a national gathering of literacy educators.
Corporate Collaborations: 'Hangul Sunshine Bus' to Reach Underserved Communities
Beyond simple viewing, 29 diverse experiential booths will be set up. Numerous private companies, including Naver, L'Oréal Korea, Staedtler Korea, and Hana Bank, will collaborate to create these booths. On-site digital literacy education will cover practical topics such as digital shopping, mobile banking app usage, and hands-on experiences with AI home appliances.
In particular, the 'Hangul Sunshine Bus,' an AI and digital literacy education bus, will visit areas with limited access to digital education facilities, welcoming visitors to experience tailored educational programs through various digital devices set up inside the bus.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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