Lee Kwonjae Pledges to Make Osan a City Where Students Can Learn Without Private Education

Lee Kwonjae, Candidate for Mayor of Osan

Announces 'Customized Education Pledge'

Including Self-Directed Learning Centers,

After-School Support Centers, and Enhanced Entrance Exam Support

Also Unveils Pledge to Establish a 'Hope Call Center'

Lee Kwonjae, the candidate for Mayor of Osan, Gyeonggi Province (People Power Party), has announced a comprehensive education pledge aimed at reducing reliance on private education and strengthening the competitiveness of learning based on public education. The core of this plan is the establishment of an 'education ladder' that encompasses everything from the installation of self-directed learning centers, after-school educational support, enhanced university entrance assistance, to customized programs for slow learners.

Last year in 2023, a business agreement ceremony was held for the transition to Segyo AI Meister High School. Photo by Ikjae Lee

Candidate Lee stated, "It is important to create an educational environment where students can grow sufficiently without relying on private education," and pledged, "We will support every student to design their own future from a fair starting line."

A key promise is the installation of self-directed learning centers, which are public study spaces within youth training centers. These centers will be equipped for middle and high school students with individual study rooms, group learning spaces, lounges, and various learning programs will also be provided.

Lee emphasized, "We will create an environment where students can study on their own to reduce reliance on private education," adding, "Developing self-directed learning abilities is the most essential competitiveness."

An after-school educational support center for elementary, middle, and high school students will also be established within the youth training facility. The center will operate after-school learning programs based on library spaces and lounges, helping to bridge learning gaps for students. Lee explained, "We will expand public education infrastructure during after-school hours to reduce educational disparities," and "We will operate customized programs that reflect student needs."

The pledge also includes policies to strengthen support for university entrance competitiveness. The plan is to reinforce the support system for admissions through providing entrance exam information, study habit consulting, school-linked programs, and public premium study rooms.

In particular, Lee plans to implement the 'IN Seoul University 500 Project', aiming to help local students gain admission to top-tier universities in Seoul. Lee said, "We will ensure that differences in access to entrance exam information do not translate into differences in outcomes," and "We will systematically support local students to enter leading universities."

Additionally, customized educational programs will be promoted for slow learners, such as adolescents with borderline intellectual functioning. This will include learning and social adaptation programs, nurturing specialized personnel, and establishing a sustainable support system.

Lee Kwonjae stated, "Policies ranging from self-directed learning to entrance exam support and customized education form the core foundation that can change students' futures," emphasizing, "Reducing the gap in educational opportunities is the path to enhancing the city's competitiveness."

He added, "I will make Osan a city where there is no need to rely on private education, and where anyone can grow fairly as part of an educational city."

Joint patrol of safe return routes by public and private sectors. Photo provided by candidate Ikwon Jae.

Lee Kwonjae: "'One Call for Crisis Response'...Pledge to Establish a Hope Call Center"

Meanwhile, candidate Lee Kwonjae also announced a pledge on this day to establish a 'Hope Call Center for Households in Crisis,' aimed at quickly identifying and supporting households in welfare blind spots. The plan is to create an integrated response system that immediately receives requests from citizens in crisis and connects them to tailored support for livelihood, housing, medical care, and caregiving needs.

Lee stated, "We must proactively identify households in welfare blind spots and socially isolated citizens," adding, "We will establish a close-knit care system so that anyone can get immediate help with just a single call."

The centerpiece of this pledge, the 'Hope Call Center for Households in Crisis', will serve as an integrated counseling hub, performing similar functions as the Ministry of Health and Welfare's emergency welfare '129', Gyeonggi Province's emergency welfare hotline, and Seoul's '120 Dasan Call Center'.

When citizens request urgent assistance, the center will immediately connect them to relevant support agencies in various sectors, including livelihood, housing, health, caregiving, and employment, to provide the necessary services.

In addition to emergency welfare support and counseling, the services connected through the call center will also include home repair support (linked with the 1472 project). The plan is to extend detailed support for daily needs, such as hospital accompaniment, changing light bulbs, repairing window screens, and home organization, to minimize welfare blind spots.

The project is estimated to require an annual budget of about 100 million won, and the city intends to establish a system for early identification and swift support for households in crisis through specialized counseling and on-site connections.

Lee Kwonjae said, "Households in crisis often face greater difficulties outside of the system," adding, "We will implement practical, everyday welfare that leaves no inconvenience unnoticed."

He further emphasized, "Welfare loses its meaning if it is delayed," and "We will establish an immediate-response welfare system in Osan that connects people to help the moment they need it."

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