Superintendent Im Taehee: "Universities and the Office of Education Must Become One Team to Create an Excellent After-Kindergarten Model"

Signing of MOU to Establish After-Kindergarten Talent Pool
A Meaningful First Step Toward a Win-Win Model Between Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education and Major Universities
Supporting Stable After-Kindergarten Program Operations Through a Qualified Talent Pool

The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education (Superintendent Im Taehee) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with 12 universities located in Gyeonggi Province to establish a talent pool for after-kindergarten programs. The office plans to continue close cooperation with universities to address staffing shortages and create a stable care environment for after-kindergarten programs.

Im Taehee, Superintendent of Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, and other attendees are taking a commemorative photo after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a talent pool for after-kindergarten programs with 12 universities located in Gyeonggi Province on the 2nd. Provided by Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education

This agreement was promoted in response to the continuously growing social demand for after-kindergarten programs. In particular, it aims to alleviate the difficulties faced by schools in recruiting staff for these programs and to provide high-quality after-kindergarten and care services by utilizing a talent pool.

The signing ceremony, held at the Southern Government Complex on the 2nd, was attended by Superintendent Im Taehee, officials in charge of early childhood education at the Office of Education, and key representatives from the 12 universities, who celebrated the new partnership between the education office and the universities.

The participating schools are 12 universities in the province: Gachon University, Kyonggi University, Kyungmin University, Kyungbok University, Bucheon University, Sungkyul University, Suwon Women's University, Ansan University, Yonsei University (Yeonseong Campus), Osan University, Joongbu University, and Pyeongtaek University (listed in Korean alphabetical order). These universities, selected to ensure regional balance within Gyeonggi Province, offer programs for early childhood education and child care qualifications.

The main points of the agreement include: ▲ establishing and operating a talent pool for after-kindergarten programs using university students (both current students and graduates); ▲ providing human and administrative support to expand and stabilize the talent pool.

The Office of Education plans to create and operate an "after-kindergarten talent pool" on its website for students with relevant qualifications from participating universities who wish to join. Each kindergarten will be able to hire talent registered in the pool without a separate recruitment process, which is expected to greatly help resolve staffing shortages and reduce administrative work. In addition, current after-kindergarten staff can also be registered in the pool upon contract expiration.

Notably, this agreement is expected to contribute to reducing youth unemployment by providing prospective teachers-university students and graduates-with various field experiences and employment opportunities.

At the signing ceremony, Superintendent Im stated, "Just as teachers have the greatest impact on students' growth at school, the most important factor in early childhood education is the teacher. I am deeply grateful that 12 universities with the highest capabilities have joined the Office of Education in establishing the after-kindergarten talent pool."

He added, "I want to assure children receiving early childhood education and their parents that the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education is fully prepared to provide the best education. I ask that universities and the Office of Education work together as 'one team' to create an after-kindergarten model that can serve as an example nationwide."

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