Yongin City Secures 1.267 Billion Won in Special Education Ministry Grant for Wonsam Elementary School Gymnasium Remodeling

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Choi Ki-ho] Yongin Special City announced on the 23rd that it has secured 1.267 billion won in special education grants necessary for improving the aging gymnasium at Wonsam Elementary School in Cheoin-gu.

The city plans to provide 598 million won in support from among the 1.991 billion won needed for a complete overhaul of the school's indoor gymnasium (750㎡) and expansion of 140㎡ including a stage, restrooms, and shower facilities. This follows the city's application for 1.267 billion won in special education grants from the Education Ministry last month based on this plan.

Mayor Lee Sang-il met with officials from Wonsam Elementary School's 100th Anniversary Preparatory Committee who visited his office in May and requested help to enable remodeling of the school's indoor gymnasium. In June, he met with Park Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs at the Presidential Office, and Oh Seok-hwan, Vice Minister of Education, explaining Wonsam Elementary School's situation and requesting support for the Education Ministry's special education grants.

Last month, the city submitted related official documents to the Education Ministry through the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education. A high-ranking government official first informed Mayor Lee Sang-il of the confirmed special education grant support on the 19th.

The city formally received the official document from the Education Ministry on the 23rd confirming the special education grant support and announced that it will proceed with the gymnasium improvement project starting next year.

Wonsam Elementary School, marking its 100th anniversary this year, had urgent need for facility improvements due to its aging infrastructure.

In particular, the indoor gymnasium has faced problems including water leaks through corroded roofs and ceilings during summer monsoon seasons, and walls and flooring materials lifting up, causing significant inconvenience to students. There are also no restrooms inside the gymnasium. Without a stage or broadcasting facilities, the school and local residents had to rent equipment when holding events.

Mayor Lee determined it appropriate to remodel the indoor gymnasium of Wonsam Elementary School, which has a 100-year history, and utilize it as a space for students and local residents. He told the Presidential Office and Education Ministry that Yongin City would invest budget in the project and hoped the Education Ministry would provide special education grants as well.

The city repeatedly conveyed this perspective of the mayor to the Education Ministry through the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education last month.

Shortly after the Education Ministry decided to provide special education grants to Wonsam Elementary School, Mayor Lee Sang-il learned of the news on the 19th from a high-ranking government official and expressed gratitude to Senior Secretary Park Sang-yoon and Vice Minister Oh Seok-hwan.

Mayor Lee stated: "When I visited the 100th anniversary celebration of Wonsam Elementary School on the 10th to offer congratulations, I was able to confirm once again that students, teachers, and alumni earnestly desired remodeling of the deteriorated gymnasium. I am very pleased and deeply gratified that the work coordinated with the Education Ministry has come to fruition as intended. I will continue to pay close attention to ensure the indoor gymnasium remodeling progresses quickly so students and residents can use it conveniently."

Last year, Mayor Lee Sang-il met with principals and parent association chairpersons from 185 elementary, middle, and high schools, and representatives of principals and parents from 2 special schools to address issues at each school. In the first half of this year, he held 7 rounds of talks with principals from 187 elementary, middle, and high schools (including one each newly established in the district this year) and talks with principals and parent representatives from 2 special schools. In the second half, he held 6 rounds of talks with parent association chairpersons from 187 elementary, middle, and high schools, devoting considerable effort to improving educational environments and school commute safety for students.