[6.3 Election] Jang Kwang-ho Pledges to Guarantee Learning Rights for Out-of-School Youths

"Doubling the Scale of the Sesang Baeum Card Program"

Jang Kwang-ho, candidate for Superintendent of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Education Office, has announced a pledge to guarantee learning rights and establish an alternative education network for youths who are forging their own paths outside the institutional school system. This policy follows his core initiatives in the areas of basic academic responsibility, "More Thinking" education for the AI era, and a basic education allowance, marking it as a key policy in the fields of people's livelihoods and welfare.

Jang Gwanho, Candidate for Superintendent of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan Office of Education

On May 27, Jang released a press statement saying, "Being a student is not defined by attending school; every young person who continues learning is one of our children," adding, "I will embrace out-of-school youths not as objects of support, but as equal members of the educational community."

This pledge is rooted in an educational philosophy that respects youths who have chosen a "different path," not a "wrong path," and aims to eliminate social prejudice and support blind spots.

To strengthen practical living and learning support for out-of-school youths, the scale of the "Sesang Baeum Card" (World Learning Card) program will be increased by 100%. The current monthly support of 50,000 to 200,000 won will be raised to 100,000 won per month for ages 9-12, 200,000 won for ages 13-15, and 400,000 won for ages 16-24. The scope of use will also be expanded from mainly transportation and snack costs to include educational, cultural experiences, and learning materials.

Additionally, public self-directed learning spaces (study cafes) will be created so that out-of-school youths can study without feeling self-conscious. Opportunities to participate in official evaluations, such as the qualification exam, will be expanded to ensure academic achievement is fairly recognized. An integrated support system will also be established to provide vocational education and psychological counseling in collaboration with career education centers.

Furthermore, an "Alternative Education Integrated Network Platform" will be built to connect public and private alternative education institutions, facilitating the sharing of curriculum and program information and supporting the joint operation of educational courses.

In addition, legal rights of access will be promoted so that out-of-school youths can use public educational services such as the Transportation PASS, Seed Insurance, Kumteul Center, and Career Education Centers on equal terms with enrolled students.

Jang Kwang-ho emphasized, "Leaving school does not mean giving up on learning," adding, "Supporting children who walk different paths so that they do not feel excluded or discriminated against is the essence of public education."

He further stated, "Whether inside or outside the school gate, I will create an education system in Jeonnam and Gwangju where no child is excluded from learning," and pledged, "I will ensure that a system of education where children's diverse lives and dreams are respected is realized."

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