Busan Office of Education to Stably Operate Neulbom School at All Elementary Schools Starting March

Expansion of Free Program to All First to Third Graders Who Wish to Participate
Following Myeongji Neulbom Dedicated School, Three More Open in Jeonggwan, Yunsan, and Nambumin

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education announced on the 18th that it is stably operating the 'Neulbom School' program at all 303 elementary schools in the region for the 2025 academic year.

Neulbom School is a comprehensive educational program that integrates and improves the existing elementary care classrooms and after-school programs into a single system. It connects various educational resources from schools and the local community before and after regular classes to support students' growth and development. The program consists of 'Care Neulbom' and 'Learning Neulbom,' providing customized care and educational opportunities.

From this year, the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education has expanded the scope of free Neulbom School operations from first graders to third graders in elementary schools. Neulbom School is operated in three ways: ▲In-school Neulbom ▲Community Neulbom ▲Dedicated Neulbom Schools, accommodating all first to third grade elementary students who wish to participate.

'In-school Neulbom' is operated at all elementary schools in Busan, and any first to third grade student who wishes to participate can join. Care Neulbom provides safe care services until 8 p.m. by operating 'Morning Neulbom' before regular classes, 'Afternoon Neulbom,' and 'Evening Neulbom' after classes. Learning Neulbom offers a variety of educational programs reflecting the needs of students and parents, with 10 hours provided free of charge, which is expected to help reduce parents' childcare burden and private education expenses.

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education is also enhancing ▲Community Neulbom in collaboration with the local community. Community Care Neulbom addresses excess demand and strengthens the community's care function through a total of 14 institutions, including 10 'Our Neighborhood Jarimteo' centers. Community Learning Neulbom operates specialized programs and provides high-quality educational opportunities in cooperation with 16 universities, 13 local institutions, and 26 directly affiliated education office institutions. In addition, 30 '24-hour Emergency Care Neulbom Centers' are operated to provide safe Neulbom services to children aged 3 to third grade in urgent need of care, realizing a more thorough Neulbom network.

Furthermore, the number of ▲Dedicated Neulbom Schools, which are independent from existing schools, is being expanded. Following the opening of Myeongji Neulbom Dedicated School, the nation's first, in September last year, the Nambumin, Jeonggwan, and Yunsan Neulbom Dedicated Schools opened in February this year. Since March, these Dedicated Neulbom Schools have allowed first to third grade students from nearby elementary schools to participate freely after their regular classes. This not only resolves excess demand in new towns and apartment-dense areas, but also expands quality educational opportunities through program diversification in small schools and regions requiring balanced educational development.

The Office of Education is also thoroughly ensuring administrative support and children's safety. From this year, all elementary schools have established Neulbom Support Rooms and assigned specialized staff such as Neulbom Support Room Directors and Neulbom Administrative Staff to support robust operations.

To create a safe Neulbom School environment, the safety management system is also being strengthened. After regular school hours, face-to-face handover and accompanied return home are mandatory, and at least two staff members are assigned until the last student leaves to ensure safety. In addition, access control systems, entry/exit notification services for Care Neulbom classrooms, emergency bell installations, and mandatory patrol reporting are being implemented, CCTV installations are being expanded, and a return home notification service will be introduced at all elementary schools within the first half of this year.

Kim Gyeongja, Director of Early Childhood and Elementary Care Policy, stated, "Since the full implementation of Neulbom School at all elementary schools in March last year, satisfaction has reached 96%. We will further strengthen the operation of Neulbom School by expanding free services and firmly establishing the policy in the field so that parents can entrust their children with peace of mind."

Nambu Minleulbom Special School

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