Learn Unification by Visiting the Site by Bus

[Financial News] The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education is expanding the operation of the 'Unification Education Bus Visiting Schools' to enhance the unification awareness of youth. In particular, the program courses have been increased to six, and the entire process is supported by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced on the 27th that from the 28th to October 31st, it will operate the 'Unification Education Bus Visiting Schools' targeting 3,100 students from 69 elementary, middle, and high schools' desired classes and clubs, consisting of 140 teams.
According to recent data from the Ministry of Unification's '2024 School Unification Education Status Survey', the percentage of students who responded that 'unification is unnecessary' exceeded 40%. This reflects the weakening unification awareness among youth.
A representative from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said, "Despite this, the result of the school application for this program showed that the number of applicant schools increased by more than 55% compared to last year's 89 schools, reaching 138 schools," and added, "We were able to confirm the high interest and enthusiasm for field experience-type unification education at school sites."
In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education decided to increase the number of target schools to provide more students with field experience opportunities, despite the overall budget reduction situation.
Additionally, this year's unification education bus course has been expanded from the existing two locations, Pyeongtaek West Sea Defense Memorial and Odusan Observatory in Paju, to include four new locations: Yeoncheon Korean Peninsula Unification Future Center, Gimpo Aegibong Ecological Culture Park, Incheon Landing Operation Memorial Hall, and Yongsan War Memorial, making a total of six selectable options.
The new course at Yeoncheon Korean Peninsula Unification Future Center was developed through an agreement with the National Unification Education Institute, and at the Yongsan War Memorial course, veterans from the Republic of Korea 6.25 Veterans Association will directly participate in educating about the Korean War, adding depth to the education.
In addition, to alleviate the burden of safety management for field trips at school sites and ensure practical education, the program fully supports buses, instructors, insurance, meals, etc. Thorough safety management will be implemented, including securing safe routes at experiential activity locations, deploying safety personnel on all buses, guidance by accompanying teachers, pre-safety inspections by education office supervisors, and on-site monitoring.
Jeong Geun-sik, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, said, "I hope the Unification Education Bus Visiting Schools will instill a sense of peace and unification in youth and become a new school support model that reduces the burden of field experience for teachers and schools."

monarch@fnnews.com Kim Man-gi Reporter