Sangju City Selected as Leading Education Innovation Region... Secures KRW 10 Billion Over Five Years

Selected as a best-practice case among population-decline areas in Education Ministry competition
Small-school innovation efforts recognized
Closing gaps in childcare and education ... developing talent in smart agriculture and secondary batteries

Sangju City in North Gyeongsang Province will accelerate efforts to transform its local education ecosystem after being selected for the Ministry of Education's competition for “Leading Education Innovation Regions.”

A view of Sangju City Hall [Photo courtesy of Sangju City]

Sangju City said on November 3 that, following its selection, it will receive KRW 2 billion in project funding annually for up to five years, for a total of KRW 10 billion.

The Leading Education Innovation Region project brings together local governments, education offices, and local communities to develop education models suited to local characteristics and create an environment where children can learn and grow in their communities.

Sangju was included among five cities and counties recognized for best practices in Type 1 population-decline areas, out of 43 leading regions nationwide. The city received high marks in particular for its local government and education support office partnership to innovate small schools, as well as specific implementation strategies tailored to local conditions.

With the vision of “Education Innovation for the Future: A City Where Learning and Life Thrive,” the city will pursue three key strategies: innovating small schools, providing education support tailored to local needs, and fostering the growth of talent with specialized local expertise.

The city plans to expand joint curricula among small schools and community-linked education, and strengthen its education and care environment through 24-hour childcare centers, integrated childcare services, and a future education support center.

It will also establish models for training specialized talent and connecting them with employment in local strategic industries, including smart agriculture, the defense and public sectors, and secondary batteries.

Sangju Mayor Ahn Jaemin said, “Education is a key source of the region’s future competitiveness and a fundamental foundation for creating a sustainable city. We will create an educational environment where children can learn and grow in Sangju and dream about the future.”

Education innovation is a critical challenge that will determine the survival of local communities in an era of population decline. The KRW 10 billion in support must deliver tangible results by strengthening the region’s educational competitiveness and helping young people and talented individuals put down roots locally.

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