All the students gathered to save the school...The Office of Education says, "Forced to switch schools."

[Anchor]
There is a village where over eighty residents have entered Manhakdo in person to protect the mountain elementary school with fewer students.

However, controversy is brewing as the Office of Education said it would push ahead with the conversion of branches.

Many students are appealing to keep the opportunity to learn.

Reporter Kim Geun-woo covered it.

[Reporter]
It is a mountain village more than 40 minutes away by car from downtown Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

The elementary school classroom here is full of gray-haired students.

It's a wrinkled hand, but I write down the lesson with a serious look.

[Park Rae-soon / 1st grader at Jeungsan Elementary School: I didn't know the letters or signs even when I went out of town. I didn't know, but I'm so happy because I can see signs, visit hospitals, and go to pharmacies..]

Seniors entered this school last May.

Residents came forward to hear that the number of students was decreasing and it was turned into a branch school.

I visited elderly people who had never attended school, and 15 new students were admitted and got a chance to learn.

As the number of students increased more than the faculty, I thought it would prevent branch schools.

However, the late-starting academic dream was shattered in less than six months. The Office of Education has decided to push ahead with the conversion of branches regardless of the admission of the elderly.

The Office of Education's position was that seniors who are not subject to compulsory education could not be recognized as formal students.

In addition, he said that even if it changes to a branch school, there will be no disadvantages to students or parents, and that he will help the elderly continue to receive education at lifelong education centers.

However, the residents strongly protested.

Contrary to the explanation of the Office of Education, if it changes to a branch school, the damage will be great, with no health or nutrition teachers deployed.

In particular, they were concerned that seniors in Manghakdo would be virtually unable to receive formal education and that schools would eventually close.

[Kim Chang-guk / Chairman of the Jeungsan-myeon Village Council: It is the only elementary school with 96 years of tradition, and without this school, parents with elementary school children cannot return to farming and rural areas....]

After completing all the administrative procedures, the Office of Education plans to confirm the conversion of Jeungsan Elementary School through a resolution by the provincial council.

Residents have decided to continue their protest against the education office as they prepare for administrative litigation.

I'm Kim Geunwoo from YTN.


VJ: Yoon Ye-on
Design: Baek Seungmin