Busan Office of Education Operates 'One Classroom One Senior Center Program'

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education will operate the ‘One Class, One Senior Center Program’ targeting about 1,000 elementary and middle school students at senior centers in each district and county within the city until the end of December this year.

This program aims to address social issues such as the recent school stabbing incident, the increase in students' aggressive tendencies due to excessive media exposure, and the decline in the culture of respecting elders through character education.

The Busan Office of Education has designed a program that allows students to practically experience various etiquette and cultural activities, the spirit of respecting elders, and filial piety education to promote character education and nurture well-rounded talents.

Participating students will engage in activities with elders such as ▲storytelling sessions ▲traditional games experiences including ttakji (Korean paper tile game), silttugi (string figure game), gonggi nori (Konggi play), jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking), towel passing, and yutnori (traditional board game).

Sixteen senior centers were selected by school level and district/county, considering students’ developmental stages and travel distances.

Busan Office of Education.

The Office of Education stated that this program is expected to greatly contribute to students’ character education by providing experiences in generational integration culture and internalizing the value of ongojisin (溫故知新, learning new things by reviewing the old).

Ha Yun-su, Superintendent of Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, said, “The recent increase in students’ aggressive tendencies, including the school stabbing incident, underscores the need for character education based on our traditional culture and values. Our office will continue to operate various programs to help students establish proper values and achieve holistic growth.”

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