Gyeonggi Pursues Standardized Lifelong Learning Platform for its Residents

- Plans to develop a shared lifelong learning platform for more opportunities, fairer participation - Standardizing lifelong learning p...

- Plans to develop a shared lifelong learning platform for more opportunities, fairer participation
- Standardizing lifelong learning platform to bridge the content infrastructure gaps between cities and counties of the province
- Starting with 2-3 cities and counties in 2024 with plans for gradual expansion

Gyeonggi Province plans to invest KRW 1.41 billion to establish a shared Gyeonggi lifelong learning platform with the aim of fostering a culture of lifelong learning and guaranteeing the basic right to lifelong learning for provincial residents.

The intention is to reduce disparities in lifelong learning service levels between regions based on the financial situations and lifelong learning interests of Gyeonggi’s 31 cities and counties through "sharing."

Kim Hyang-Sook, Director General of the Gyeonggi Lifelong Education Bureau, announced this plan during a policy press conference on the establishment of the Gyeonggi Province Lifelong Learning Shared Platform at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government complex on June 7.

Director General Kim explained the background of this policy, stating, "Learning is no longer limited to a few years of education in school in rapidly changing modern society."

She stated, "In order to meet the rapid advancement of technologies, intense job market competition, and globalization of industries, continuous growth is necessary. Lifelong learning should be actively supported by the province so as to improve quality of life for residents and enable self-realization."

In line with this, the province will allocate KRW 1.41 billion to establish and share standardized lifelong learning platform content infrastructure with its 31 cities and counties. The province plans to initially pilot the sharing of the platform with 2-3 cities and counties in the first half of 2024, and then gradually expand it to include cities and counties where platforms require urgent redevelopment due to outdated management functions.

Director General Kim stated, "Using the shared platform developed by the province, cities and counties will open individual lifelong learning websites and operate various lifelong learning courses sought by residents."

She added, "All academic management, from education application to certificate issuance, will be systematized, and the entire lifelong learning history of local residents will be digitized, eliminating the need for the manual management of learning records."

Moreover, she explained, "Expanding lifelong learning, which used to be offline-centered, through online and real-time video-based learning, the province will share over 1,700 online lifelong learning items and video-based learning features with its cities and counties, providing diverse opportunities."

Based on this digitized lifelong learning platform, the province will integrate and centralize individual learning histories of residents. Residents will be able to use the platform with a single ID even if they change their address within the province, and the province will prevent duplicated investments and reduce budgetary expenses.

Director General Kim emphasized, "Lifelong education is not just a tool for personal development but also a driving force for social progress," and she stressed the need for active support from local governments.

She added, "The province will make efforts to provide more lifelong education opportunities to residents and bridge the gaps in lifelong learning between regions in collaboration with all 31 cities and counties of the province."