On September 22, 2025, the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education’s southern branch in Suwon buzzed with anticipation as over 200 parents gathered for the third session of the 'Visiting Gyeonggi Parent Education Series.' The event, designed to foster a deeper understanding of educational policy and parental roles, drew a diverse crowd eager to discuss how to nurture children’s character and basic competencies in an era of rapid change.
This gathering was not a standalone event. It followed two earlier sessions held on August 12 and August 15, forming part of a five-session series that aims to reshape the future of education in Gyeonggi Province. According to Energy Economy News, the September session centered on the theme 'Children Growing with Respect and Empathy: Character Education That Builds the Heart.' The turnout and engagement reflected the growing interest among parents in holistic education—one that values not just academic achievement, but also empathy, respect, and hands-on experiences.
Lim Tae-hee, Superintendent of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, opened the session with a welcome speech that set the tone for the day. Lim’s message was clear and resonant: “The type of talent that Gyeonggi education pursues is a student who possesses both basic character and foundational competencies.” He emphasized that character education should not be confined to the pages of a textbook or the walls of a classroom. “Character education is not something that should be learned only with the mind, but must be experienced through the body and heart,” Lim said, as reported by Maeil Ilbo.
Lim’s remarks struck a chord with many in attendance. He elaborated on the practical aspects of character education, urging parents and educators to think beyond conventional lessons. “It is important to set aside time specifically for character education and to allow children to naturally experience positive influence through activities such as volunteering and physical exercise,” he explained. According to Lim, these real-life experiences are what truly shape a child’s character and enable them to become well-rounded individuals.
The session also featured a special lecture by Professor Lee Ho-seon of Soongsil Cyber University, who provided further insights into the goals and direction of Gyeonggi’s character education policy. The lectures were not just theoretical; they sparked lively discussions among parents about how to apply these principles at home and in their children’s daily lives. Many parents expressed that they found the emphasis on experiential learning and the integration of character education into everyday activities both refreshing and necessary.
According to Energy Economy News, the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education used the event to communicate the broader educational policy trends in the province, underlining the importance of family involvement in nurturing children’s character. The session highlighted the need for a collaborative approach, where schools and families work hand in hand to reinforce values such as respect, empathy, and responsibility.
Lim Tae-hee did not shy away from addressing the need for reform. He explained that the ongoing series of sessions is part of a broader push to align political science education—and by extension, the wider curriculum—with the core competencies and future educational goals of Gyeonggi Province. “Reforming political science education is a core task that requires the cooperation of all educators and school officials,” Lim stressed, as cited in both Energy Economy News and Maeil Ilbo. He called for practical and experiential learning to take precedence over rote memorization or purely theoretical approaches.
The September 22 session was not only about imparting knowledge; it was about sparking a movement. Parents and educators discussed how to make character education a lived experience, not just a subject to be studied. Attendees considered ways to integrate service learning and physical activity into the daily routines of children, allowing them to encounter and spread positive influences in a natural, engaging way.
For many parents, the message was both inspiring and actionable. The realization that character is not simply taught but cultivated through real-world experiences prompted them to reflect on their own roles. As one parent shared during the open discussion, “The most meaningful lessons come from what our children do and feel, not just what they memorize.” This sentiment echoed throughout the room, suggesting a shared commitment to nurturing 'good people'—not just high achievers.
The structure of the ‘Visiting Gyeonggi Parent Education Series’ also reflects a modern approach to community engagement. To maximize accessibility, the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education enabled both onsite and online participation. Attendance could be confirmed via QR codes, and sessions were broadcast live on the Lifelong Learning Center’s YouTube channel. This hybrid model ensured that parents from across the province could participate, regardless of their schedules or locations.
Looking ahead, the series will continue with its fourth session scheduled for October 21, 2025, at the Guri Namyangju Education Support Office. The theme for this upcoming event—'Our Children's Learning Future with AI'—signals a forward-thinking approach that blends traditional values with technological innovation. The final, fifth session will further explore these themes and is expected to draw even broader participation.
The September session reaffirmed a key principle: the goal of education in Gyeonggi Province is not just to produce students with high test scores or encyclopedic knowledge. Instead, as Lim Tae-hee emphasized, it is about raising people who are “truly human”—individuals equipped with both character and competence. This vision is not merely aspirational; it is being woven into the fabric of educational policy and practice through programs like the Parent Education Series.
In the words of Lim Tae-hee, “When parents communicate actively with schools as partners in education, the values that Gyeonggi education pursues can be fully realized.” It’s a call to action that resonates beyond the walls of the southern branch office in Suwon, inviting families, educators, and communities to join in the ongoing journey toward a more holistic, humane, and future-ready education system.
As the series moves forward, the hope is that the lessons of respect, empathy, and experiential learning will ripple through classrooms and homes alike, shaping a new generation of students who are not only knowledgeable but also compassionate and resilient. The story of Gyeonggi’s education reform is still being written, but if the energy and engagement at the September session are any indication, it’s a story with the potential to inspire far beyond the province’s borders.