Children and regions thrive: North Jeolla rural study surpasses 333 students, family relocations spread

North Jeolla Province's rural study program is showing promising signs of combating regional decline, with 333 students participating this year and a notable increase in family relocations. The initiative, which allows urban students and their families to temporarily move to rural areas and attend local schools, is gaining traction as a strategy to revitalize depopulating regions.

Students benefit from an educational environment centered on nature and community, while the regions gain much-needed student numbers and an influx of residents. Since its inception, the program has seen a significant increase in participation, growing from 84 students in 2023 to 333 this year – nearly a fourfold increase in three years. This growth has also spurred family migration, with 412 family members having moved to North Jeolla Province to support their children's participation.

To ensure the program's long-term success, North Jeolla Province is investing in more than just short-term experiences. The province is developing family-oriented residential facilities, providing financial support for study expenses, and offering specialized programs tailored to local characteristics. These efforts aim to create a stable environment for families and encourage long-term settlement.

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Rural study is a flagship policy of North Jeolla Province that provides a healthy growth environment for children and injects new vitality into the region.

The province has already established the nation's first government-funded rural study center in Wanju County and has forged partnerships with educational authorities in the Seoul metropolitan area to attract students nationwide. Additional family residential facilities are operational in Jinan, Imsil, and Sunchang counties, with Jinan County planning a second facility this year. The province plans to continue offering monthly stipends of 200,000 won to students and implement programs that enhance families' adaptation and long-term commitment to the region.

A provincial official stated, "Rural study is a flagship policy of North Jeolla Province that provides a healthy growth environment for children and injects new vitality into the region." The province aims to further refine its model of rural study, integrating housing, education, and community development to effectively address the crisis of regional extinction.

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We will further enhance the North Jeolla Province-style rural study model, which integrates housing, education, and community growth, to strive to overcome the crisis of regional extinction.