Gyeonggi to Build 100 School-Community Complexes Over 10 Years

SUWON — The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education and local governments in the province have launched a partnership to lower the barriers between schools and their surrounding communities. At its core is a plan to build 100 school-community complexes across Gyeonggi Province over the next 10 years, equipped with swimming pools, libraries and child care centers.

The provincial education office, 25 district education support offices and 29 cities and counties held a "Breaking Down Walls" ceremony on the 9th at Wondong Elementary School in Osan, Gyeonggi Province, and signed a memorandum of understanding. The agreement is designed to expand the use of school facilities beyond student education into shared community infrastructure.

Under the model, the education office provides school land and local governments fund construction. The complexes may house swimming pools, libraries, child care spaces and sports facilities. During the day they serve as space for regular classes and school programs, and after school hours and on holidays they open to residents for sports and cultural activities.

Gyeonggi Superintendent of Education Ahn Min-seok used the ceremony to propose the "Gyeonggi Golden Plan," which calls for the 100 complexes. "We will build one complex shared by students and residents for every 100,000 people," Ahn said. "We will pursue this as a long-term project to be completed over 10 years."

Beyond new facilities, the education office and local governments will also work together on education initiatives. Key items include spreading a "phone-free" culture that reduces mobile phone use, promoting RAS character education linking reading, arts and sports, expanding education budgets, cooperating on educational autonomy, and sharing school and local infrastructure. To that end, the two sides are also considering appointing "wall-breaking liaison officers" to handle cooperation between schools and local governments.

Local issues will be addressed separately. The education office and local governments agreed to identify agenda items each area needs — such as establishing public alternative schools and promoting village education communities — and respond jointly. Yongin and Seongnam, which attended the event but did not join the agreement, plan to discuss cooperation with the provincial education office later.

Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae, Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin and Gyeonggi Provincial Council Vice Chair Kim Mi-suk also attended. "This is a meaningful agreement, the first of its kind attempted in education administration," Choo said. "We will overcome the province's fiscal difficulties and create an environment where this can be carried out on the ground."

Choi said the agreement "is not a mere administrative procedure but a practical promise to tear down the barriers in education," adding that the Education Ministry would support Gyeonggi's effort so it can take root as a new model of cooperation.

After the ceremony, participants toured the swimming pool at the Wondong Elementary School sports center. They observed a survival swimming class held at the school-community complex and a guitar class run under an Osan city education support program.