Gyeongnam Province Launches Full-Scale 'Saving Small Schools' Initiative ... Differentiated from Last Year with LH Participation

Additional 4.5 Billion KRW Total with 1.5 Billion KRW Each per Target Site Plus Extra Support from LH

Changnyeong Yeo Elementary School selected for the 'Saving Small Schools' project.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Gyeongsangnam-do and the Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education announced that a total of three locations?Uiryeong-gun-Daeui Elementary School, Changnyeong-gun-Yueo Elementary School, and Hamyang-gun-Yurim Elementary School?have been selected for the '2021 Gyeongnam Small School Revitalization Contest Project.'

The Gyeongnam Small School Revitalization Project supports households with elementary school children nationwide to relocate to Gyeongnam Province, aiming to promote coexistence between villages and small schools facing extinction.

The three selected sites each presented distinctive blueprints and plan to bring new vitality to schools at risk of closure and regions facing extinction.

A total of 4.5 billion KRW will be supported, with 1.5 billion KRW allocated to each selected site. The province, county, and Office of Education will each contribute 500 million KRW per site.

Notably, starting this year, the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) will also participate in the project, supporting more than 80% of the construction costs for public rental housing and creating community spaces.

Additionally, educational and cultural programs will be provided to actively contribute to balanced regional development.

Uiryeong-gun-Daeui Elementary School (16 students in total) will operate a non-grade-level curriculum and artificial intelligence (AI) education.

Changnyeong-gun-Yueo Elementary School (19 students in total), famous for Upo Wetland, plans for children to play and learn in nature alongside the 'Ttawoki' (crested ibis), and aims to create a prosperous Yueo-myeon for families working at local companies such as Nexen Tire.

Hamyang-gun-Yurim Elementary School (18 students in total) will present an educational curriculum that allows individuals to develop their talents through the 'I Growth Project,' and the county will provide personalized jobs linked with the job center.

Meanwhile, more than 80 people relocated to the pilot project sites last year in Yeong-o-myeon, Goseong-gun, and Sangju-myeon, Namhae-gun, and the number of students at Yeong-o Elementary and Sangju Elementary is expected to more than double.

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