"Imperfect Produce Goes to the National Assembly"... Neungju High School Wins Grand Prize at National Model Assembly

Participation in Bill Proposal and Amendment Contest on Utilizing Discarded Agricultural Products
Top Honors Among 91 Schools Nationwide
Praised for "Bringing the Value of Learning to Life"

A fresh bill proposed by high school students, which incorporates learning opportunities for children using discarded agricultural products, has captivated the National Assembly.

On September 4, Neungju High School in Jeonnam announced that a team consisting of Park Yewon, Lee Youngchae, and Choi Yunseo, all second-year students, was awarded the grand prize at the "2026 National Student Model National Assembly Bill Proposal and Amendment Contest," hosted by the Korea 4-H Headquarters and the Rural Development Administration.

Students from Neungju High School in Jeonnam won the grand prize at the "2026 National Student Mock Parliament Bill Proposal and Revision Contest." Provided by Neungju High School

The Neungju High School team made it to the finals after overcoming fierce preliminary rounds in which 91 middle and high schools from across the country participated. On August 26, they delivered their final presentation at the National Assembly’s main chamber, proudly achieving the highest honors.

Guided by teacher Baek Jinyoung, the team developed the "Act on Educational Support for the Use of Edible, Unutilized Agricultural Products," focusing on so-called "imperfect agricultural products." The bill aims to use farm produce, commonly discarded due to imperfect appearance, in youth education and hands-on programs in order to prevent food waste and reduce financial losses for farmers.

The bill received high praise for clearly specifying the grounds for support from the central and local governments, ensuring voluntary participation by farmers, and establishing safeguards to prevent commercial exploitation, thereby demonstrating outstanding feasibility and completeness.

Lee Youngchae, who served as the representative sponsor of the bill, shared, "Drafting legal provisions felt daunting at first, but I felt proud realizing that everyday problems can be solved through law." Teacher Baek Jinyoung added, "The process of revising every article countless times together with the students was a true learning experience."

This accomplishment is being regarded as an exemplary case of authentic civic education, demonstrating how ideas generated in the classroom can follow the real-life processes of bill introduction and deliberation in the National Assembly.

Seong Taemo, principal of Neungju High School, emphasized, "This is a valuable achievement where students discovered social issues and proposed solutions, taking ownership of their learning. It stands as a representative example of the 'glocal, symbiotic education' and proactive learning advocated by education in Jeonnam."

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