Naju establishes a lifelong learning cycle for all ages—from school students to adults
Innovative policies across the board, including the Big Bang Project, Future Education Support Center, and Learning Vouchers
Proposing a new regional educational model that covers all stages—from student inflow to settlement

The Naju City Government in Jeollanam-do is implementing innovative policies across the board to position education as the centerpiece of its urban competitiveness, as well as lay the foundations for developing future talent and supporting their settlement, culminating in a new model that proposes a new future for regional education.

The government has focused its administrative capacity on transforming the entire learning ecosystem—not merely providing fragmented support—to narrow the educational gap with major metropolitan areas.

Through a wide range of initiatives, including the Naju Education Big Bang Project, Naju Future Education Support Center, and the development of a leading lifelong learning model, the city’s educational innovation is shaping a new paradigm for regional education where local talent can grow, thrive, and settle within the community.

■ Big Bang Project: Naju’s collaborative efforts in education to lay the groundwork for nurturing talent
The Naju Education Big Bang Project presents a long-term plan and three-phase roadmap through 2034, with the goal of reaching 30,000 students within the next decade.

During the Foundation Building Phase (2025–2027), the city will establish educational infrastructure and institutional support systems. The Education Growth Phase (2028–2032) will focus on delivering tangible outcomes, including the construction and relocation of schools and the introduction of a joint school district system between Naju and Gwangju. In the Big Bang Stabilization Phase (2033–2034), the city intends to increase education-driven population inflows through the settlement of Naju Education Town and expand the shared living sphere between Gwangju and Naju.

Guided by the philosophy of “sustainable, future-oriented coexistent education,” Naju city is also advancing forward-looking education policies, including an Energy Gifted Education Institute in partnership with the Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), community childcare centers, and an education special district. Together, these initiatives are contributing to fostering a sustainable learning ecosystem.

The city is also expanding education-related infrastructure that directly benefits residents. Recent additions include a children’s library, the Namdo Righteous Army History Museum, and community childcare centers. A new elementary school tentatively named Maeseong Elementary School is scheduled to open in 2029.

Naju is also exploring ways to expand the recently opened
Bitgaram Dream Growth Center into a three-story facility. The center is envisioned as a hub for international exchange support, vocational education partnerships, a glocal education center, bilingual instructor training for multicultural parents, and online foreign-language education programs.

■ Naju Future Education Support Center: Enhancing access to educational opportunities
At the heart of Naju’s educational innovation is the Naju Future Education Support Center, established in 2023.

The center functions as a learning platform that supports students’ academic development and career exploration through e-learning, career experience programs, and educational initiatives linked to local resources.

Proud Naju Discovery, Gangnam e-Learning, Naju-Learn, Convergence Science Camp, and other programs have strengthened students’ academic capabilities and career exploration opportunities. The center has been widely recognized for significantly improving access to education through tailored services.

Proud Naju Discovery, a local history program, was offered twice last year and achieved an average participant satisfaction rate of 91%.

Since 2024, the city has provided 300 middle and high school students annually with unlimited access to Gangnam e-Learning’s classes, allowing them to take courses in major subjects for a yearly fee of just KRW 10,000. Meanwhile, Naju-Learn offers one year of unlimited access to online lectures offered by Megastudy, one of Korea’s leading e-learning platform. Last year, 186 students benefited from the program.

The Convergence Science Camp has also received exceptionally positive feedback. Designed for 100 elementary school students in 4th to 6th grades in the city, the program moves beyond traditional booth-based activities by offering project-based experiential learning opportunities.

Partnerships with public institutions relocated to the Innovation City have further strengthened local educational resources.

Examples include: English for Specific Purposes for elementary students, operated in collaboration with KENTECH; an actor/actress program for middle school students, developed with the Arts Council Korea; and etiquette classes offered through Najuhyanggyo Local Confucian School. By combining local human and cultural resources, these initiatives have bolstered both the diversity and competitiveness of Naju’s learning ecosystem.

■ Arts Plus Class becomes a nationwide model for arts education
In the field of arts and culture education, Naju has partnered with the Arts Council Korea to launch the nation’s first Arts Plus Class. The program is contributing to fostering students’ creativity and artistic sensitivity while expanding student-centered learning through a wide range of foundational arts programs.

Following a pilot program in 2024, Arts Plus Class was fully launched last year. Beginning this year, all six participating schools will offer the program to 4th-grade students, providing in-depth instruction in foundational arts disciplines such as theater, literature, architecture, music (choir and instrument), and dance.

The program is integrated into the regular curriculum and features professional arts instructors who guide students through hands-on practice and creative activities tailored to their developmental needs.

Last year, schools in the Innovation City area—Raon Elementary School (theater, 5th grade), Bitgaram Elementary School (architecture, 2nd grade), Bitnuri Elementary School (music, 4th grade), and Hanareum Elementary School (dance, 4th grade)—operated year-long programs funded by KRW 400 million from the Innovation City Development Fund. Meanwhile, Naju Elementary School (film, 5th grade) and Nampyeong Elementary School (literature, 4th grade) in the city’s original downtown area offered programs during the second semester, funded with KRW 100 million in special grants. The initiative received enthusiastic reviews and is scheduled to operate as a year-round program beginning this year.

■ Naju Love Learning Voucher: The first in Jeollanam-do Province to provide KRW 150,000 per person annually
In the lifelong learning sector, Naju became the first city in Jeollanam-do to introduce the Naju Love Learning Voucher, laying the foundation for all residents to access learning opportunities.

The program provides Naju residents with up to KRW 150,000 in annual learning support per person. Recipients have steadily increased from 2,500 in 2023 to 3,000 in 2024 and 5,000 in 2025.

This year, approximately 9,300 residents applied for the voucher. A draw will be held on July 7, with the final list of 5,000 recipients to be announced the following day.

The initiative has significantly improved access to self-development opportunities for citizens. With more than 200 institutions accepting the voucher, residents are free to participate in a wide range of educational programs, including fitness, arts, certification courses, and foreign-language studies.

To date, nearly 10,000 residents have participated in the program. By providing financial support for annual learning expenses, the voucher has delivered tangible benefits ranging from personal growth to reinforced reemployment skills—ultimately contributing to a higher quality of life for Naju residents.

■ New elementary school planned to ease overcrowding in Bitgaram-dong
Naju is accelerating efforts to expand its educational infrastructure. To address overcrowded classrooms in Bitgaram-dong, the city is initiating construction of a new elementary school and a childcare facility, while also improving the learning environment by separating Maeseong Middle School and Maeseong High School.

The new elementary school, tentatively named Maeseong Elementary School, will be equipped with 19 classrooms. A childcare center is also planned for establishment in the district.

Naju city will sign an agreement with the provincial office of education for the free use of school land. The project, funded by the city through budget allocation and construction planning, is scheduled to complete in 2029.

The city is also pursuing the separation of Maeseong Middle School and Maeseong High School.

Since opening in 2020, the two schools have operated in the same building. To improve educational efficiency and provide students with a more independent learning environment, Naju is undertaking an expansion project at Maeseong Middle School.

The project will add a multipurpose gymnasium, cafeteria, and facilities for 12 additional classrooms at the school site, with completion targeted for March 2027. Construction work and final inspections are expected to be completed by the end of this year, allowing the two schools to begin operating separately next year.

■ Naju education goes global with international programs
Naju offers a range of international programs to raise students with a global mindset. Through English immersion classes, English camps, and overseas language training programs, the city is helping students develop practical English skills and global awareness while providing opportunities for meaningful cross-cultural experiences through international youth exchange opportunities.

The elementary English camp, offered during school vacations, continues to attract growing interest each year thanks to its hands-on, activity-based approach and consistently high student satisfaction.

The US overseas language education for middle school students combines classroom participation at American schools with homestay experiences, helping students deepen their understanding of global cultures while building practical English communication skills.

Looking ahead, Naju plans to continue leveraging education as a key driver of population growth and long-term settlement, while accelerating efforts to build a sustainable education city that seeks mutual growth with the community.