[Interview] Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu: "With the Establishment of SongpaSsaem, Residents Will Enjoy a High-Quality Lifelong Learning System"

Songpa-gu Focuses on Establishing Songpa SSEM (Songpa Smart Education Model) Support System... Proactive Response to Lifelong and Future Education Amid Social Changes Caused by COVID-19... Local Government Can Preemptively Fill Gaps in Public Education

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “With Songpa SSEM, students can envision their future, and residents can enjoy a high-quality lifelong learning system.”

Park Sung-soo, Mayor of Songpa District, recently told a reporter this. ‘Songpa SSEM (Songpa Smart Education Model)’ is a specialized education support system unique to Songpa District. It integrates Songpa’s existing educational infrastructure and projects, developing a new education system tailored to the region’s strong enthusiasm for education.

It was established to create an environment where anyone with the will to learn can have access to learning opportunities. The philosophy reflects that equal opportunities should be given regardless of income, age, or social class.

Since taking office, Mayor Park has prioritized Songpa SSEM, which consists of four main projects: ▲‘Person Library,’ where one can borrow the knowledge and wisdom of prominent figures as if borrowing books ▲‘Future Education Center,’ a hub facility for Songpa SSEM where advanced technologies such as AI and VR can be experienced ▲‘Instrument Library and Music Creation Studio,’ which lends musical instruments and supports various music activities ▲‘Online Education Portal,’ which integrates over 50 scattered educational infrastructures and content within the region into a single network.

In particular, Songpa SSEM has received great acclaim by filling gaps in education caused by the unexpected circumstances of COVID-19. 28,000 students have engaged with Songpa SSEM, and 56 schools are participating. Mayor Park pointed out, “According to UNESCO research, over 90% of learners worldwide had their right to education infringed due to COVID-19. As remote classes increased, not only the quality of lessons but also educational disparities among students and declines in basic academic skills arose?issues we had not previously anticipated. This is where local governments must consider their role.”

On the 3rd of last month, Mayor Park was elected as the 5th chairman of the Innovative Education Local Government Council. Together with 63 member cities, they have been brainstorming ways to address learning loss and declines in basic academic skills, emphasizing that these are not problems of individual schools or students. They agreed that local governments should propose comprehensive solutions to support socioeconomically vulnerable groups.

The efforts so far are gradually showing results. The ‘Online Education Portal,’ which offers lifelong education programs from early childhood to the elderly using local educational resources, was opened to the public earlier this year. The Person Library, featuring 650 local talents such as John Lee, CEO of Meritz Asset Management; Shin Su-ji, national rhythmic gymnastics athlete; Professor Kim Nuri of Education; and parent education activists, has also received positive reviews for sharing knowledge, experience, and life wisdom.

On July 8th, the Songpa SSEM ‘Future Education Center’ opened in Pungnap-dong’s Building 9, where various programs such as the district-developed AI coding curriculum ‘Songpa SSEM AI School,’ 3D printer modeling, and app development will be offered. The ‘Future Education Center’ will expand to a total of 15 locations across the district by the end of this year. Additionally, the ‘Instrument Library & Music Creation Studio,’ another pillar of Songpa SSEM, opened in May. It was reborn by utilizing the underpass beneath Songpa District Office, which had low space utilization, into a facility equipped with an instrument storage room, exhibition hall, practice rooms, creation rooms, and a small performance hall.

Mayor Park Sung-soo stated, “Now is the time for public education to find a new direction. A public education system that supports learning at all life stages beyond the school unit is necessary. It is the duty of local governments in the post-COVID era to expand the scope of education through local governments responsible for schools outside of school and classrooms outside of classrooms, complementing the central government’s focus on in-school education and filling the gaps in public education.”

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