Why Are Fathers Going Back to School?... Gyeongbuk Office of Education Runs 'Father School' for Fifth Year

The Gyeongbuk Office of Education (Superintendent Lim Jongshik) announced on September 17 that since July, it has been operating the "2025 Happy Father (Parent) School" for parents of kindergartens, elementary, middle, high, and special schools in 21 regions across North Gyeongsang Province.

The Father School is a unique initiative by the Gyeongbuk Office of Education, aimed at strengthening communication between parents and children and fostering a healthy family culture. It began in 2021 as the "Frendy School," which encouraged fathers to learn ways to empathize with their children and become more like friends to them.

The scene of the Father School in session

Initially, the program was offered online to 80 applicants, but it has expanded every year. Since 2023, it has been conducted in person, and in its fifth year, the scope has greatly increased to approximately 880 participants from 21 cities and counties.

To apply, the local education support office recruits parents from a single school or multiple schools, selects the training content through a needs assessment, and then accepts applications via the Parent Support Center website.

This year, in particular, the program has been further specialized and systematized by using the "Competency-Based Growth-Oriented Parent Education" framework developed by the Ministry of Education. The curriculum focuses on strengthening parental competencies such as self-care, basic parenting roles, child education, school cooperation, and support for children's independence. The training is conducted in a participatory format, emphasizing small group activities and psychological assessments rather than simply delivering content.

A parent who attended the Father School held at the Yeongju Education Support Office on September 11 shared, "I also participated in the Father School two years ago and found it very helpful in learning how to understand and communicate with my children, which is why I joined again this time. I hope there will be even more opportunities for fathers to participate in such programs."

The 2025 Happy Father School began in Seongju on July 16, and training has been completed in seven regions. The program will continue sequentially in Cheongsong, Andong, Yeongyang, Yeongdeok, Gumi, Gyeongju, Goryeong, Gimcheon, Gyeongsan, Yeongcheon, Mungyeong, and Chilgok through November.

Lim Jongshik, Superintendent of the Gyeongbuk Office of Education, stated, "The role of parents in the educational field is becoming increasingly important. We will continue to promote parent support initiatives to encourage parental participation in educational activities, strengthen communication between schools and parents, and ultimately work towards restoring the educational community."

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