Realizing Customized Education Free from Neglect for 2 Million Children

Candidate Kim Jin-chun unveiled the goal of "realizing customized education that does not leave 2 million children behind," stating that "Gyeonggi education has undergone significant changes over the past four years" and pledging "to realize efficient Gyeonggi education without waste during the remaining tenure of just one year and two months."

Candidate Kim, in his statement of candidacy, said "I, my wife, and five daughters all attended school in Gyeonggi Province," and added "now that four of my daughters work in the teaching profession, I am overflowing with passion to love and transform Gyeonggi education," asking for evaluation of his achievements during his tenure.

He continued, "Currently, Gyeonggi education has entered into global competition where students compete not just within the Republic of Korea but with students from advanced global cities," and reflected, "Such achievements were possible thanks to the full cooperation and support from residents of the province and members of the Gyeonggi education family who have taken interest in and watched over education."

Regarding academic achievement evaluations, he stated "as diagnoses have been made, it is the role of the provincial Office of Education to solve issues without causing pain to children and parents," while also emphasizing that "the assessment that Seoul and the province rank in the lower tier is difficult to accept, and Gyeonggi education, which leads Korean education, has sufficient alternatives and the capability to resolve such issues."

He continued, "Since the gap between urban and rural areas stems from regional economic and cultural capacity as well as parents' income levels, public education must fulfill its role in closing these gaps," and pointed out "the key policy is to make excellent and experienced teachers prefer rural areas and stay there for longer periods."

Candidate Kim said "the core of the private education expense problem can be sufficiently resolved through strengthened public education, and we must increase investment promptly and substantially," adding "increased investment in public education is necessary as a way to revitalize the economy currently facing difficulties due to economic downturn."

Furthermore, he stated "to strengthen public education, we will prioritize improving working conditions for teachers and also implement teacher evaluation systems to enhance teacher competitiveness," and emphasized "as current Gyeonggi education faces a critical juncture where it must establish a major framework for education's century-long strategy amid pressing issues, wise choice is more important than ever."

Regarding specialized high schools, Candidate Kim said "currently, gifted students with high likelihood of entering so-called specialized high schools or science high schools account for only 0.4%," and stated "through enhancing the academic performance of ordinary students, we will raise this ratio to approximately 1% by 2010. This is part of customized education."

He continued, "Suwon, where the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and the Provincial Office of Education are located, maintains the appearance of a capital city in education as well," and said "we will do our utmost in inter-government cooperation projects realized by the Provincial Office of Education and strengthen cooperation in addressing regional disparities existing within the city."

As other pledges, Candidate Kim presented "seven major measures for student character education," "establishment of school management compensation systems," "fostering boarding-type public high schools and expanding urban-rural complex regions," and "implementation of projects to resolve academic disparities."

Candidate Kim stated "when I took office, Gyeonggi education's finances were depleted, and within the constraints of equalization, students were being evaluated by uniform standards while their individuality was disregarded," and said "I will do my best to nurture global talents aiming for world-class status."

※ Biography

- Education ▲Incheon High School graduate ▲Incheon Teachers College graduate ▲Master's degree in Educational Administration from Inha University Graduate School of Education ▲Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Education from Kyzylorda National University, Kazakhstan

- Career ▲Teacher at Idong, Sungho, and Hwaseong Elementary Schools ▲Vice Principal of Suwon Shinpung Elementary School ▲Principal of Suwon Maetan and Gokseon Elementary Schools ▲Inspector and Head of Elementary Teacher Education Division, Gyeonggi Province Office of Education ▲Superintendent of Pyeongtaek Office of Education