Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education, Nationwide First to Operate 'Basic Academic Skills Dedicated Teachers'

Dispatch of 40 Dedicated Teachers for Reading and Writing Guidance: 'Literacy and Numeracy Specialists'

On the 16th, Director Song Yong-seok of the Education Bureau is announcing the 'Basic Academic Skills Guarantee Support' plan in the press room.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education announced a plan to operate the nation’s first “Dedicated Literacy and Numeracy Teacher System” for students lacking basic academic skills.

On the 16th, the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education held a press briefing and presented support measures for ▲early detection of learning deficits through basic academic skill diagnostic tests ▲responsible guidance for elementary lower-grade students with learning difficulties ▲strengthening teacher instructional capabilities.

Song Yong-seok, Director of the Education Bureau, stated, “The Provincial Office of Education has introduced the Dedicated Literacy and Numeracy Teacher System for students with insufficient basic academic skills for the first time nationwide,” adding, “The dedicated teachers will guide students who lack reading, writing, and arithmetic skills through 3R's and subject learning diagnostic tests.”

The Office plans to reduce the number of students per first-grade elementary class in city and town areas to 25 and assign 40 elementary literacy and numeracy dedicated teachers, who have completed a two-year expert course, to each region to support students lacking basic academic skills.

These teachers will be organized with 3 to 4 members in city areas and 1 to 2 members in county areas, rotating between their assigned schools and nearby schools to provide customized lessons for students who have not properly acquired Hangul.

Additionally, after conducting diagnostic tests to identify causes of learning difficulties and student characteristics, they will thoroughly manage students by recording growth journals and observation sheets in consultation with homeroom teachers.

In particular, students identified as high-risk or suspected of dyslexia after the first reading diagnostic test and the second reading characteristic test will be referred to specialized institutions for in-depth diagnosis and supported for treatment through connections with universities, hospitals, and learning clinic centers.

An official from the Office stated, “To implement this system, a Basic Academic Skills Support Dedicated Team consisting of three members?a vice principal, a teacher, and an administrative staff?will be newly established at the headquarters,” adding, “The dedicated team will expand operations in cooperation with the initial literacy and basic numeracy support teams formed by education support offices and specialized institutions.”

Following last year, the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education will hold the “Reading Catch-up Expert Course Training” this year in two locations: the Eastern and Western regions. Additionally, 22 education support offices will conduct remote and in-person training on literacy and numeracy for all homeroom teachers of first and second graders in elementary schools.

Director Song said, “We have prepared a groundbreaking plan to guarantee basic academic skills without giving up on any child’s learning in the challenging educational environment of Jeonnam,” and added, “The Jeonnam Office of Education will do its best to help each student grow into a future talent by nurturing their abilities and aptitudes based on solid basic academic skills.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.