Nowon-gu Operates 'Neighborhood Learning Centers' for Village and Preference-Based Lifelong Education

Operating 75 Programs and 35 Learning-Practice Projects This Year... Providing Approximately 8 Million Won Annually to 13 Learning Centers

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Nowon-gu will officially operate the ‘2022 Neighborhood Learning Center Within One Step’ project starting in May.

The district prioritizes lifelong learning within close proximity, emphasizing the core value of being able to attend even in slippers, and supports residents' right to learn through the operation of neighborhood learning centers where anyone can pursue lifelong education.

To this end, it operates 3 hub centers and 13 learning centers. These centers utilize idle spaces such as local community centers, welfare centers, and cafes as learning spaces, ensuring excellent accessibility.

Marking its 6th year, the Nowon Neighborhood Learning Center offers 75 programs with a total project budget of approximately 270 million KRW, providing about 8 million KRW per center to support high-quality education operations.

Despite difficulties in program operation due to the spread of COVID-19 last year, 755 participants took part in 73 learning center programs, and this year, more active learning activities and practical outcomes are expected.

The neighborhood learning centers are evenly located across each district, reflecting local characteristics and residents’ interests in their operations to add distinctiveness. In particular, beyond simple hobby classes, they focus on ‘learning-practice’ activities aimed at revitalizing local communities through lifelong learning and fostering a spirit of sharing and solidarity.

Representative examples include learning home repairs to support the homes of elderly living alone in the community and career-interrupted women delivering encouraging messages to residents through horticultural works they learned together.

This year, courses such as ‘Our Neighborhood in Detail,’ ‘Intergenerational Parent Education,’ and ‘Youth Fit Talent Sharing’ are planned, along with ‘Barrier-Free’ empathy education aimed at breaking down physical and institutional barriers to create a disabled-friendly city.

In line with the full-scale operation of the neighborhood learning centers, an environmental protection campaign will be held in front of Nabi Garden on the 13th. This is part of a joint activity of 13 neighborhood learning centers under the theme ‘Eco-friendly Living in the City.’ Additionally, a ‘Nowon Neighborhood Learning Center Joint Plogging’ program is scheduled for September to strengthen the capabilities and motivation of neighborhood learning center activists.

Furthermore, the district plans to offer various courses in fields such as food therapy, green interior design, leather crafts, and humanities lectures to provide residents with the joy of learning.

Since recruitment schedules, target audiences, and tuition fees vary by course, it is recommended to check the details in advance on the ‘Nowon Neighborhood Learning Center’ website and the district office’s Lifelong Learning Division.

A district official stated, “We have prepared substantial programs through the neighborhood learning centers to enhance not only life knowledge but also a sense of solidarity at the community level,” adding, “We will continue to strive to activate various lifelong learning activities for residents.”

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