Gyeongbuk Office of Education Opens Nation's First 'Kkumdamchae' Independent Living Education Center for Students with Disabilities in Sangju

The Gyeongbuk Office of Education (Superintendent Lim Jong-sik) will open ‘Kkumdamchae,’ the nation’s first independent living education center for students with disabilities, on the 20th at 4 p.m. after two months of preliminary operation by remodeling the old dormitory building at Sangju Sanghee School, a public special school in the province.

Kkumdamchae focuses on strengthening independent living skills through career and vocational education centered on independent living tailored to the perspective of students with disabilities, as well as residential daily life training.

Gyeongbuk Office of Education

It will also serve as a space where participating students can nurture and fulfill their dreams, aiming to prepare for independent living in adulthood for complete social integration.

Kkumdamchae operates various daily life training programs focusing on financial management, self-protection, interpersonal relationships, independent living, leisure activities, and social adaptation skills. Through this, it is expected to play a significant role in helping students with disabilities in the transition phase from school to society develop the necessary transition competencies as members of the local community.

A student participating in the experience event shared, “I enjoyed the various activities like cooking with friends and teachers, watching movies, and using public transportation much more than attending classes at school, so I feel reluctant to return to school.”

A teacher from Yeongju Jeil High School, who participated together, said, “I am grateful for the program that addresses the essential and overlooked needs of our students,” adding, “I hope to widely promote how helpful this program is to students among teachers in the region and that more students will participate.”

Lim Jong-sik, Superintendent of Gyeongbuk Office of Education, said, “I hope that students with disabilities in the transition phase in the province will gain opportunities to experience residential daily life training at the nation’s first independent living education center, laying a foundation for successful social integration,” and added, “The Gyeongbuk Office of Education will continue to make efforts and provide support for diverse and distinctive customized career and vocational education.”

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