지역

Suwon’s last night school shines bright as older students pledge to keep learning

입력 2025.10.17 17:35

By Kim Tae-hee

On the afternoon of October 14, adult learners attend a class at Suwon Jeil Lifelong Learning School in Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Reporter Kim Tae-hee

On the evening of October 14, at 7 p.m., Suwon Jeil Lifelong School in Paldal-gu, Suwon, was brightly lit as classes were underway. From a distance, the crisp sound of chalk striking the blackboard could be heard. In one classroom, a math lesson was in full swing, with the blackboard covered in equations and mathematical symbols.

“Factorization, prime factorization, identities…” The teacher’s rapid-fire questions filled the room, and students answered confidently. Occasionally, some stumbled, but laughter quickly followed, and the lesson continued. Throughout the hour-long class, the students’ attention never wavered from the blackboard.

The students attending the class were all older adults, returning to education after missing out in their youth. Though they started later than most, their passion was undeniable.

Kim Jeong-ae, 63, preparing for the high school equivalency exam, is the eldest of six siblings. She had to leave school after elementary school due to her family’s financial difficulties. Having raised her own children, she returned to learning after turning sixty. “My family supports me more than anyone else,” she said. “I’d love to go to college if I can, but even if I can’t, I want to give it my all until the end.”

Seok Young-sook, 68, also completed only elementary school and began studying for the high school equivalency exam last year. “One day, I realized I couldn’t read English on the computer, and it frustrated me so much,” she said. “I work during the day, and study at night school after work. It’s tiring, but the sense of accomplishment is much greater.”

Founded in 1963 as Suwon Jeil Night School, Suwon Jeil Lifelong School provides a second chance at education for those who missed out over the past 63 years, with the support of Suwon City Government. Half of its 200 students are in their 60s, and most of the others are in their 70s to 90s. Tuition is free, and the 50 teachers volunteer their time to educate the students. Today, schools like Jeil Lifelong School are increasingly rare, and this remains effectively the only night school operating in Suwon.

The school’s elementary, middle, and high school equivalency programs run Monday through Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. Recently, for the first time since its founding, all students taking the equivalency exams passed. On August 12, 2025, 22 students, 1 elementary, 11 middle, and 10 high school candidates, sat for this year’s second equivalency exam, and all passed.

Park Young-do, principal of Suwon Jeil Lifelong School, said, “Korea focuses heavily on formal school education but largely neglects education outside of school. Yet there are people outside the school system who need and want education.” He added, “These students are part of an educationally marginalized generation shaped by historical hardships such as the Japanese occupation and the Korean War. We want to provide them with better educational opportunities.”

※This article was translated by an AI tool and edited by a professional translator.