Yoon: "From Parental Care to State Care... Direction Is Right Despite Resistance to Neulbom School" (Comprehensive Report 2)

President Chairs the 9th Minseong Debate
Neulbom School Expands Entirely in the Second Half
Higher Grades to Receive Neulbom School Benefits Until 2026

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the "Public Discussion on Livelihoods with the People - Ninth Session, Neulbom School with Warm Care and Education" held on the 5th at Shinwoo Elementary School in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 5th that elementary education should shift from "'parental care' to 'state care'." Regarding child care, he expressed a strong commitment to push forward, saying, "Even if the government maintains a sound fiscal policy, we will invest finances and have the central and local governments cooperate together." On the government's plan to expand Neulbom Schools, he acknowledged that "there may be difficulties and resistance, but the direction is correct," urging to accelerate related policies.

On the same day, President Yoon announced the plan to expand Neulbom Schools at the 9th Public Livelihood Discussion held under the theme "Neulbom Schools with Warm Care and Education" at Shinwoo Elementary School in Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province, emphasizing that "we must move from parental care to state care."

Neulbom Schools are a government initiative to respond to the low birthrate crisis by allowing elementary students who wish to do so to use various programs and care at school until 8 p.m. The government selected Neulbom Schools as a key task starting last year and plans to establish them in 2,000 elementary schools in the first half of this year and in all elementary schools in the second half. Furthermore, by 2026, the benefits of Neulbom Schools will be extended not only to lower grades but also to upper-grade students.

President Yoon empathized with the practical difficulties, saying, "Usually, when children enter elementary school, many mothers quit their jobs," and "sending children to private academies not only costs a lot but also causes mental stress."

Yoon: Child Care Is the President’s Constitutional Responsibility

President Yoon Suk-yeol is applauding at the "Public Discussion on Livelihoods with the People - Ninth Session, Neulbom School with Warm Care and Education" held on the 5th at Shinwoo Elementary School in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He particularly mentioned that state care projects such as Neulbom Schools are the responsibility of the president. President Yoon explained, "As president, my top priority is to create a country for children, a country where children are happy," adding, "Care is the responsibility of our entire community, the state and local governments, and above all, it is the constitutional responsibility of the president who must ensure the sustainability of our society."

He also emphasized that the expansion of the role of schools must accompany the establishment of state care. President Yoon said, "In a democratic society, public education must be at the center of education, and ultimately, the school is the center of public education," urging, "Children should go to school with joy, and the school should be the most trusted and reliable place."

He continued, "Last year, we started a pilot project for Neulbom Schools in 459 elementary schools, and I personally confirmed on-site that both children and parents were very satisfied. This year, we conducted a demand survey among prospective parents, and 83.6% expressed a desire to participate in Neulbom Schools, showing great expectations," stressing, "Since everyone is waiting for this, despite various difficulties, we must work together to push it forward well. Our government will definitely accelerate the pace so that anyone who wants to can enjoy this opportunity in all elementary schools nationwide."

He also promised to prepare high-quality Neulbom School programs. President Yoon said, "We will extend operating hours from early morning to 8 p.m. according to local conditions, continuously expand free programs and dinner provisions to reduce parents' burdens," adding, "We will diversify Neulbom School programs so that children can enjoy playing while learning useful things and growing."

The government plans to include various programs such as music, art, physical education, dance, theater, choir, and digital utilization, rather than simple supplementary academic classes, to foster character and creativity education for children attending Neulbom Schools. In this regard, President Yoon said, "We will collaborate with universities, companies, local governments, and institutions to provide good programs," and requested, "I ask experts from various fields of our society to donate their talents so that Neulbom Schools can be operated more effectively."

He also quoted an African proverb, saying, "It takes a whole village to raise a child," and urged again, "Each of the more than 6,000 schools nationwide has different conditions and environments. While the state is responsible for care, I ask local communities and all citizens to take an interest and actively participate."

At the discussion, Lee Hyun-sook, vice principal of Jang-an Elementary School in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, drew attention by emphasizing, "For the stable establishment of Neulbom Schools, institutional arrangements and budget securing are essential," and "Cooperation from active teachers is necessary."

A teacher from Yulsan Elementary School in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, suggested, "Allowing regionally specialized Neulbom School operation methods such as rural and urban types will help revitalize the regions in the long term," and "The state must strongly support good educational programs."

In response, President Yoon said, "As the teacher mentioned, we must provide diverse educational programs tailored to regional characteristics," emphasizing, "It is important not only to start Neulbom Schools but also to establish a system to review and supplement problems."

Yoon Promises Financial Investment Despite Sound Fiscal Policy

President Yoon Suk-yeol is experiencing abacus mental arithmetic with students in the Nulbom School's abacus mental arithmetic program before the start of the "Public Livelihood Discussion - Ninth Session, Nulbom School with Warm Care and Education" held at Shinwoo Elementary School in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 5th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In his closing remarks, President Yoon reiterated the state's role in child care and expressed his strong will to vigorously promote related policies. He said, "The significant expansion of Neulbom Schools is not a simple task," adding, "It is only possible through the interest of the central and local governments, substantial financial investment, and cooperation from local communities and parents on the ground."

President Yoon stated, "Transitioning from care managed by parents to 'public care' requires everyone to work together," and emphasized, "If children can be joyful, happy, and grow up properly, nothing is more important to the nation. Even while maintaining a sound fiscal policy, we must invest finances in this area and have the central and local governments cooperate."

He continued, "There will be many difficulties and resistance," but stressed, "However, this is the right direction to take." President Yoon urged, "We cannot delay any longer; let's join forces and work hard this year," and added with a smile, "I will also look for opportunities to contribute my talents to Neulbom School programs."

Before attending the discussion, President Yoon observed the broadcasting dance and abacus mental arithmetic programs, which are part of the Neulbom School program operated by Shinwoo Elementary School.

After watching the students' impressive dance, President Yoon asked about their grade levels and how long they had been learning the dance. When the instructor replied that it had been only a month, he marveled at the students' skills, saying, "You became this good in such a short time."

President Yoon also met with students learning abacus mental arithmetic. Sitting alongside the students, he tried abacus calculations together and praised a student who was good at calculations by patting their head, according to spokesperson Kim Soo-kyung’s written briefing. As he left the classroom, President Yoon encouraged the teacher by saying, "Please teach them diligently and well."

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