Gyeonggi education office runs most self-directed learning centers in South Korea

The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education announced Monday that it had been designated nine additional self-directed learning centers under a Ministry of Education competition, bringing its total to 22 — the most of any province in the country.

Middle and high school students who wish to pursue self-directed learning can visit the centers to receive individualized study plans and ongoing guidance from learning coordinators. The centers also offer EBS-linked educational content, university student mentoring and comfortable study spaces including private reading rooms and book cafes.

Several centers reflect local character through a "one region, one brand" education initiative. Examples include Gapyeong's "Daejehak Kkumjaramteo," a dream-nurturing study program; Namyangju's "Reading Jeong Yak-yong, Living as Yi Seok-yeong"; and Pocheon's "Running Campus."

The provincial education office plans to hold a performance-sharing forum for the centers, where participants will exchange experiences on building self-directed learning skills, reducing reliance on private tutoring and narrowing the education gap between regions.