Kim Sung-je, the mayor of Uiwang, expressed on August 27 his commitment to creating a healthy educational environment for children through participation in the 'Phone-Free School' initiative.
During the '2026 Gunpo-Uiwang Phone-Free School Education Community Declaration Ceremony' held at the Gunpo City Hall, Mayor Kim stated, "Schools, families, and the community must work together to cultivate proper smartphone usage habits among students."
The 'Phone-Free School' initiative aims to provide students with time away from smartphones, allowing them to engage in various educational activities such as reading, arts, and sports. It is a community-driven movement that seeks to foster healthy smartphone habits and a supportive educational environment.
Mayor Kim emphasized the importance of creating an educational environment that encourages students to fill their time away from smartphones with healthy and productive activities like reading and the arts, rather than merely restricting smartphone use.
He noted, "The issue of smartphone usage among students cannot be resolved by schools alone; the role of the education community, which includes schools, families, local communities, and municipal governments, is crucial."
The declaration ceremony was organized by the Gunpo-Uiwang Education Support Office and attended by approximately 370 participants, including Ahn Min-seok, the Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education, Mayor Kim Sung-je, Gunpo Mayor Han Dae-hee, students, parents, and community members.
Attendees committed to supporting students' healthy growth and the formation of proper lifestyle habits through various activities beyond just reducing smartphone use.
Mayor Kim remarked, "As smartphones have become essential tools in our lives, schools, families, and communities must work harder to help children develop proper smartphone usage habits." He added, "The city will closely collaborate with the education support office and schools to create an educational environment where children can grow healthier and happier."
Looking ahead, Mayor Kim plans to establish a close cooperation system with the education support office, schools, parents, and the community to foster an educational environment that enables students to grow healthier and happier.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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