784 Students Complete Literacy Education in Seoul Elementary and Middle Schools... 95-Year-Old Oldest Lifelong Learner Awarded Certificate

91% of Literacy Education Program Completers Aged 60-80
Number of Operating Institutions Expanded to 70 This Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced that it will distribute academic certificates to 784 individuals who completed the elementary and middle school literacy education programs for the 2021 academic year. The oldest graduate this year is 95 years old.

On the 21st, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education stated that a total of 784 people, including 517 elementary and 267 middle school graduates from 52 institutions that completed the literacy education program, will receive academic certificates. By age group, 33% are in their 60s, 58% are in their 70s and 80s, making 91% of the graduates seniors aged 60 to 80.

Mr. Shin Gwangcheon, born in 1926 (aged 95), the oldest graduate, showed exemplary learning attitude by actively participating in classes with a passion for learning and will receive the Superintendent’s Commendation awarded to outstanding learners.

Due to difficult family circumstances, Mr. Shin missed the opportunity to enter elementary school but challenged himself to learn at the age of 93. From 2019, he completed levels 1 to 3 over three years without interruption. He arrived 10 minutes early for every class, sat in the front row, and achieved a 100% attendance rate.

The elementary and middle school literacy education program provides adults who missed the chance to attend school with the ability to read and write and develop practical literacy skills, offering opportunities to obtain academic qualifications. Currently, 2,059 people in Seoul are participating in the academic recognition literacy education program.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education plans to expand the number of institutions operating elementary and middle school literacy education programs to 70 this year and broaden various lifelong education programs for continuous education of adult learners.

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