Mayor Kim Byungsu Transforming the Education Landscape... Accelerating Innovation in Gimpo Education with AI and Autonomous Public High Schools

Gimpo City reaps the fruits of one year as a Special Education Development Zone
Full-scale investment of 28.2 billion won in education subsidies
Fifteen projects in full swing, including replacement of aging sports fields
Commuting budget dramatically increased by 125%

One year after being designated as a Special Education Development Zone, the 8th popularly elected Gimpo City government is delivering remarkable educational outcomes and is accelerating education support that Gimpo children can truly feel. Mayor Kim Byungsu announced that this year the city has finalized 28.2 billion won in education expense subsidies to be provided to kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools within the city.

Kim Byungsu, Mayor. Provided by Gimpo City

According to Gimpo City on the 11th, the city will support a total of 15 projects this year, including the Education Environment Improvement Project (1.39 billion won), rental and operation costs for school commuter vehicles (670 million won), the Autonomous Public High School 2.0 program (400 million won), school uniform support for new middle and high school students (1.131 billion won), middle school field trip support (1.548 billion won), and free school meal support (20.549 billion won).

Educational environments to change at seven schools in Gimpo, including Gimpo Science & Technology High School and Yanggok Middle School

Through this year’s Education Environment Improvement Project promoted by Gimpo City, seven schools in the city, including Gimpo Science & Technology High School and Yanggok Middle School, will see improvements to their on-campus environments.

Mayor Kim Byungsu has been listening closely to the opinions of many citizens through on-site administration, meetings with parents, and roundtable talks with various groups. Based on this, the city plans to select, from among the items that need to be supported at each school, those that must be improved quickly in practical terms and move ahead with implementation.

In particular, Gimpo Science & Technology High School and Tongjin High School, where aged sports fields had raised concerns about safety accidents, will be transformed into spaces where students can safely enjoy physical activities through artificial turf replacement work. In addition, at Geolpo Elementary School, where the deterioration of the audiovisual room floor had posed a risk of safety accidents, the audiovisual room improvement project will turn the space into a multi-purpose area where children can engage in a variety of activities.

In addition, various improvements are planned, including construction work to address leaks and condensation at facilities in four schools within the city, as well as projects to improve special education environments.

Students returning home on school buses. Provided by Gimpo City.

Gimpo City accelerates efforts to foster future talent

The city is also stepping up operational support for Gimpo High School and Masong High School, the two schools selected as autonomous public high schools.

Gimpo High School built an AI classroom last year, strengthening students’ digital capabilities and laying the foundation for advanced educational infrastructure aimed at narrowing the education gap. Building on this, the school plans this year to create outdoor learning spaces and inquiry classrooms, and to operate the Autonomous Public High School 2.0 program and after-school curriculum programs, raising expectations among parents, students, and the broader local community.

Masong High School has established an AI studio, making it possible to carry out convergence projects that combine information and technology, science, and art. Based on this infrastructure, the school expects to strengthen student-led convergence projects utilizing digital technology and to enhance students’ creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Making Gimpo a city where students and parents feel at ease thanks to safe and comfortable commutes to school

The city has established a school commuter vehicle rental support program for schools located in areas with inadequate public transportation and for schools that need to redistribute students from overcrowded classes, and has decided to support 10 schools. Eligible schools are elementary and middle schools within Gyeonggi Province where the walking distance to elementary school is 1.5 km or more, or where middle school students require 30 minutes or more by public transportation to get to school.

AI classroom construction completed. Provided by Gimpo-si

In particular, even under financially difficult circumstances, the city finalized a 125% increase over the previous year to alleviate the inconvenience of long-distance commuting for students.

The city will also support the operation of school commuter vehicles to ensure commuting safety for students at small schools. To address these schools’ difficulties in attracting students and to guarantee students’ commuting safety, Gimpo City will cover 100% of vehicle operating costs, including fuel, insurance, and repair expenses.

Meanwhile, under the 8th popularly elected administration, Gimpo City is emerging as a future education city, backed by clear achievements such as expanding global cutting-edge education through AI, building a foundation for nurturing prestigious universities, and broadening opportunities for students to explore career paths.

Mayor Kim Byungsu said, “In Gimpo, we are not only focused on raising the level of future-oriented education, but are also actively working to improve children’s educational environments in ways they can feel in their daily lives. We will do our utmost to ensure that our children can experience growth in their everyday lives through support tailored to each school’s circumstances and characteristics,” adding, “We will continue to take active steps for the education and growth of our children, who are Gimpo’s future.”

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