North Chungcheong Province offers free online learning to youth in depopulating areas

North Chungcheong Province in South Korea is launching a program to support young people in areas facing population decline. The 'ChungBook-e' initiative will provide free online learning and mentoring services to students in six designated regions: Jecheon, Boeun, Okcheon, Yeongdong, Goesan, and Danyang.

The program, running from July to December, aims to address educational disparities and broaden learning opportunities for approximately 1,500 participants. Eligible students include those in the 5th and 6th grades of elementary school, middle school, and the first two years of high school, as well as out-of-school youth, whose parents or legal guardians reside in these declining population areas.

Participants can choose from various online learning platforms, including Elehai for elementary students, Mbest for middle school, and Megastudy, Etoos, or Daesung MyMac for high school. Textbook support will also be provided.

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We are promoting the 'ChungBook-e' project to provide learning opportunities for students and out-of-school youth in the six areas with declining populations, where educational benefits are insufficient.

In addition to online courses, the program will offer one-on-one mentoring for 200 selected students. University students will serve as mentors, providing guidance on academics, college admissions, and daily life through 20 sessions over six months.

The provincial government is investing approximately 2.1 billion won (about $1.5 million USD) in the 'ChungBook-e' project, covering online learning, textbook support, and admissions consulting. The initiative is managed through the North Chungcheong Institute for Human Resources Development and Lifelong Education.

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We hope this will help resolve educational disparities and support the learning, career paths, and lives of young people.