Former Deputy Prime Minister Kim Dong-yeon Launches Free Digital Education Program for Underprivileged Elementary Students

"Some Students Struggling to Keep Up with Curriculum Due to Difficulties from the COVID-19 Situation"
Service Provided Free of Charge Based on Recommendations from Teachers Nationwide

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Kim Dong-yeon is launching a free education project using digital devices for vulnerable elementary school students left in the educational blind spots due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Overcoming a difficult family environment and having served as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, this is his first project in over two years since his retirement, positioning himself as a 'social class ladder.'

On the 12th, Kim announced through his SNS, "There are many heartbreaking stories about students who cannot attend school due to COVID-19 and are unable to keep up with their studies because of difficult circumstances." The education project is being carried out through the nonprofit corporation 'Yukwaehan Banlan' (Joyful Rebellion). Yukwaehan Banlan was launched this January, about two years after Kim retired as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs in December 2017. Kim serves as the chairman without compensation.

The project is named 'Bangga Bangga Study Room.' 'Bangga' means 'a home tutor who visits inside the room.' The plan is to distribute digital devices containing grade-specific educational content and provide personalized learning services free of charge. He explained, "We plan to utilize big data and AI technology to analyze individual progress and learning status and, if possible, develop a system that guides students in a customized manner."

He emphasized that the need for such services has increased due to the COVID-19 situation. Kim said, "Since students cannot attend school because of COVID-19, this program that enables remote, personalized learning at home according to each student's level seems even more necessary," adding, "From the perspective that the future of our industry lies in digital-based education, medical, and bio sectors, this will be a small but meaningful attempt."

Furthermore, he stated, "This project also aligns with the founding purpose of the nonprofit corporation, which is to place ladders for social mobility in our society," emphasizing, "It is a small attempt to change our reality where origin and background matter more than one's effort or ability."

In fact, Kim himself was part of a vulnerable group. After losing his father, he lived in unauthorized shacks in Cheonggyecheon and became the head of his family at age 11, supporting them. After a hard life, he passed both the administrative and legislative exams simultaneously and rose to become Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs. Since retirement, he has emphasized in various lectures that society must maintain dynamism through social ladders for inclusion and innovation to be achieved.

Initially, the corporation will receive recommendations for 1,000 multicultural family students to receive services from teachers nationwide. The plan is to expand the project to vulnerable students within a few months. First, they will build a base with registered members and institutions, and ultimately promote it through crowdfunding to recruit many participants.

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