Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education Builds 'RasMap' to Showcase Outstanding Schools in Literacy, Arts, and Sports Education

The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education announced on August 31 that it will identify regional model schools implementing exemplary literature, arts, and sports (RAS) education and build the Gyeonggi RasMap to showcase them at a glance.

RAS education is a key initiative led by Superintendent Ahn Min-seok designed to support the holistic growth of students by integrating reading, arts and culture, and sports activities into the regular curriculum.

While most schools already operate education programs focused on individual areas such as reading, arts, or sports, the provincial office aims to achieve a balanced and well-rounded implementation of all three areas.

To this end, the provincial education office is pushing forward with the production of the Gyeonggi RasMap, which will identify regional model schools and introduce their operating programs.

In particular, the office plans to actively publicize practical cases from schools operated based on student demands in connection with student councils, thereby driving the spread of the RAS education culture.

As a representative case, the provincial office designated Hahwon Elementary School in Seongnam as the first RAS Outstanding Operation School.

Hahwon Elementary is cited as an example where RAS education is seamlessly integrated into daily school life, featuring activities such as international exchange picture book creation, a teacher-developed reading app to prevent biased reading, and parent reading clubs; a teacher-developed cumulative student running management system; and morning commute concerts.

The Gyeonggi RasMap will be produced in both online (web) and print formats and is scheduled to be unveiled as early as October.

Additionally, to motivate students, the provincial office will select 100 students who actively practice RAS education during the second semester and provide them with an opportunity to tour two universities located in Silicon Valley, United States.

The tour is scheduled to take place in January next year.

For the selection, 70 to 78 percent of the students will be recommended by schools and selected by regional offices of education, while the remaining 20 percent will be chosen through a computer-automated recommendation process for students meeting specific criteria.

Bonus points will be awarded to students from underprivileged backgrounds.

Visiting Hahwon Elementary School that morning to encourage students and faculty members, Superintendent Ahn said, "We will work together with schools, the education office, and local communities to ensure that sound RAS practices do not remain confined to a single school, but instead spread across all of Gyeonggi education so that every school can become an exemplary RAS institution."

(Photo provided by Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.