Haenam County, Grandmother and Elementary Student Shine with Diplomas... Opening the Future of Learning

Haenam County in Jeonnam announced on the 22nd that a special graduation ceremony was held at Bukil Elementary School in Bukil-myeon on the 13th.

While the fact that it was the 101st graduation ceremony, marking over 100 years since the school's founding, was special in itself, what stood out even more were the elderly women receiving their elementary school diplomas. The honored graduates were Lee Gwirye (93), Choi Wonsim (78), Oh Hyanghee (72), and Kim Oksim (94).

The grandmothers, who enrolled in 2019, successfully completed the six-year elementary program and proudly received their diplomas. Alongside nine fellow graduates, who are great-grandchildren’s age, they became the stars of the ceremony and received their diplomas with pride.

At the graduation ceremony of Haenam Bukil Elementary School, graduates Hyanghee Oh and Wonsim Choi, grandmothers, are receiving the Passion for Learning Award. Provided by Haenam County

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The grandmothers’ journey as elementary students began in 2019, when only one new student enrolled at Bukil Elementary, putting the school’s existence at risk. To help save the local school, grandmothers with a passion for learning decided to enroll together. With recommendations from village heads, a total of six grandmothers entered the school, and ultimately, four of them graduated with pride.

At the graduation ceremony, Kim Oksim was unable to attend due to poor health, but the remaining graduates received their diplomas, and scholarships were awarded by organizations such as the Bukil-myeon Scholarship Association. Sadly, Kim passed away two days after the ceremony.

Receiving their diplomas amid cheers from their children and grandchildren, the grandmothers were moved to tears, recalling the past six years of elementary education, which began with learning to write Hangul, as the most passionate period of learning in their lives. At the ceremony, Choi Wonsim and Oh Hyanghee received the Passion for Learning Award, while the eldest, Lee Gwirye, was honored with the Achievement Award, earning even greater applause.

Due to differences in learning pace with existing students, the grandmothers’ enrollment in 2019 became both the first and last instance of such admissions. However, in recognition of their passion, Bukil Elementary launched Haenam County’s first “Save Small Schools” campaign, attracting students from cities nationwide. As a result, Bukil Elementary and Duryun Middle School, once threatened with closure, saw around 60 transfer students, drawing national attention.

Growing interest in rural study abroad programs has also led to the “Save Small Schools” campaign spreading throughout Haenam. To date, 42 households and 171 people, including 77 students, have relocated to Haenam as a result.

Due to their advanced age, the grandmothers decided not to pursue further education at the middle school level. However, their endless passion for learning remains unchanged. The community continues to cheer on the grandmothers as they embark on new challenges.

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