School Version of the 'Korean New Deal'... Innovating Classrooms and Spaces in Schools After 40 Years

Ministry of Education Announces Comprehensive Plan for Green Smart Future Schools
18.5 Trillion Won Invested by 2025...Target Schools to Be Selected This Month
Flexible Classrooms and Open Rest Areas to Enable Divided Classes

Overview of Green Smart Future School

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Education is set to innovate by remodeling old school buildings and transforming them into schools equipped with digital devices and infrastructure suited to new educational environments, capable of energy self-sufficiency. As part of the Korean New Deal, 18.5 trillion won will be invested by 2025 to create 'Green Smart Future Schools.'

On the 3rd, the Ministry of Education announced a comprehensive plan for the 'Green Smart Future School' (hereafter Future School). The plan aims to establish a future-oriented school environment by incorporating four elements: spatial innovation, smart classrooms, green schools, and school complexification.

The Future School project is one of the top 10 representative projects of the Korean New Deal and a key policy initiative of the Ministry of Education this year. It aims to expand outdated facilities and insufficient infrastructure in line with the new curriculum and the high school credit system to be implemented from 2025, transforming schools into spaces that meet the needs of students and teachers. Starting this year, target schools will be selected, and the first phase of Future School transformation will begin in 2024, covering 761 buildings.

The Ministry of Education will renovate or remodel 2,835 school buildings over 40 years old over the next four years to transform the educational environment. Moving away from standardized classrooms, variable walls and folding doors will be used to divide or combine spaces according to class size or elective subjects. Spaces for communication such as studios for online joint education or online classes, open rest areas, lounges, and study rooms will also be provided. A cooperative teaching model between subjects will be developed and distributed to activate interdisciplinary classes, integrated classes across grades, and project-based learning.

Green Smart Future School Roadmap

In addition, an advanced intelligent (smart) environment equipped with wireless internet, learning platforms, and digital devices will be established. By 2022, wireless internet networks will be introduced in all general, subject-specific, and special classrooms. Tablets and laptops loaded with teaching and learning programs will be provided to students, along with advanced learning equipment tailored to the characteristics of each subject. Intelligent CCTV and sensors will be used to control risk factors such as crime and traffic accidents.

To practice carbon neutrality, zero-energy schools utilizing energy-saving measures and solar power generation will be created. These schools will minimize the impact of external temperature changes to use less energy while producing energy independently through renewable sources. Ecological education spaces such as vegetable gardens and indoor gardens will be established to practice carbon neutrality in daily school life. Facilities like libraries and small-scale sports facilities will be developed as shared community spaces, and programs involving residents will be operated.

Green Smart Future School Annual Project Implementation Schedule

The Ministry of Education will select final target schools through demand surveys and other methods. The project targets will be finalized in February, and after preliminary planning, construction is scheduled to begin in 2022. Schools over 40 years old will be selected based on their suitability in connection with educational policies such as the high school credit system and future textbooks. Considering regional characteristics, educational policies, and financial conditions, an appropriate method will be chosen between financial projects (75%) and Build-Transfer-Lease (BTL) projects (25%). Selected schools can use the budget not only for facility projects but also for purchasing IT equipment and preparing for the Future School transition.

In March, the Ministry of Education will launch a central support council linked with related ministries, as well as regional councils involving local governments, experts, and community organizations. Improvements for managing BTL projects will be promoted in the first half of the year.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye stated, "The Green Smart Future School project embodies the dreams of future education that all our citizens expect and includes plans to realize a major transformation in education after COVID-19. We will actively promote it in connection with the 2022 curriculum revision, the high school credit system, and innovation projects of education offices."

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