“Family play” tackles weekend private education... 96% of parents say it eased their anxiety

[Financial News] Chungbuk and Gwangju are expanding play-based experiential programs for families to participate in together on weekends and during school vacations, pursuing initiatives to replace weekend private arts and sports lessons. By giving parents and children opportunities to connect through play, the programs aim to highlight the value of play suited to young children’s development and help ease anxiety over private education.
The Ministry of Education said on the 29th that it is expanding a “locally tailored initiative to improve perceptions of private education for infants and young children” in partnership with provincial and metropolitan offices of education nationwide. The programs were designed and run to reflect local conditions related to private education and parents’ needs. In a survey of participating caregivers, 96% of respondents said the initiative had helped improve their perceptions of private education.
Provincial and metropolitan offices of education nationwide are carrying out initiatives to reduce reliance on private education in ways suited to local circumstances. In Daegu, they are working with local governments to offer caregiver training and run a “Parents’ Commitment Relay Campaign.” South Gyeongsang Province produced and distributed a map of local play experiences titled “Play, Learn, Go Gyeongnam,” while Busan and Jeju continue to provide parent education using video materials and online courses (K-MOOC).
The Ministry of Education plans to report the final results of the initiative to improve perceptions of private education for infants and young children in December this year, and to disseminate educational materials developed by specialized institutions and exemplary local cases nationwide through the iNuri (Play House) website and other channels. It aims to reduce parents’ reliance on private education and strengthen trust in public education and childcare.
Minister of Education Choi Kyo-jin said, “For caregivers to feel less anxiety about private education and confidently choose education suited to their children, they need access to reliable information and opportunities for education and childcare close to home,” adding, “We will continue working with provincial and metropolitan offices of education and local communities to share caregivers’ concerns and support them in confidently choosing play-based education at kindergartens and childcare centers.”  

[email protected] Kim Man-gi Reporter