The Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Education announced on November 8 that they have selected a total of seven exemplary cases in the first-ever 'Closed School Utilization Best Practices Competition.'
The competition aimed to increase interest and participation from local governments and education offices in utilizing closed schools, while also fostering collaboration between ministries to discover and disseminate utilization models tailored to local characteristics.
A total of 62 cases of closed school utilization were submitted, and after a two-stage evaluation process, the final exemplary cases were chosen. An online public review was conducted for the ten cases that passed the initial written evaluation, and public officials participated in voting during the presentation evaluation to incorporate community voices.
The top award, the Prime Minister's Award, went to the 'Public Cat Protection and Adoption Center' established by the Tongyeong Education Support Office. This center was created from the former Hansan Elementary School Yongho Branch, which closed in 2012. The project, initiated by community suggestions, received high praise for transforming the site into a regional hub that encompasses animal protection, ecological education, and tourism through collaboration among the education support office, local government, and private and professional organizations.
Six cases received excellence awards. The Minister of Interior's Award was given to the 'Ganghwa Astronomy Science Museum' in Incheon, 'Bee Land' in Goesan, and 'Pops World Dajagu Halmi' in Danyang.
The Minister of Education's Award was presented to the creation of a complex educational and cultural space in Seoul that includes a special school, library, and eco-school, as well as 'Imsil Ecological Nuri' in Imsil and the 'Ddaknamu Hanji Experience Center' called 'Kongdak Kongdak' in Buan, Jeollabuk-do.
The government plans to provide incentives for the seven exemplary cases using special grants from the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Education.
Choi Eun-ok, Deputy Minister of Education, stated, "The key to utilizing closed schools is reconnecting them with functions needed in the community," adding, "We will actively support efforts to ensure that closed schools become assets that create new possibilities rather than burdens for the community."
Kim Min-jae, Deputy Minister of Interior, remarked, "Closed schools are not just idle spaces but valuable assets that can become new growth engines for the community," expressing hope that these exemplary cases will spread across the country, helping to wisely overcome the crisis of regional extinction and improve residents' quality of life.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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