Last August, the Suwon District Court operated a pilot program with 18 at-risk juveniles. Six have since returned to school, four are preparing to resume their studies at outside student centers, while another four are studying for the Korean-equivalent of the GED (General Equivalency Diploma). (image: KobizMedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SUWON, Aug. 3 (Korea Bizwire) – ‘Hi School, Let’s Go to School’ is a short-term prep school program operated by Gyeonggi Province and the Suwon District Court to help at-risk juveniles who are currently not enrolled in secondary education, as part of efforts to help them return to school.
What is different with other programs, however, is that judges from the district court will serve as homeroom teachers providing counselling and guidance to these students, so they can successfully adapt to their future school environment and discover prospective career paths.
Although the juveniles taking part in the program have not committed any serious crimes, they are youth awaiting court decisions and were either expelled or have dropped out from their respective schools.
The five-day prep school offers instruction in subjects such as Korean, English, and mathematics, but the organizing committee also included special lectures during which experts from various industries, including broadcasting and education, will do their best to instill the students with “hope and dreams”.
Apart from the three juvenile court judges who were assigned to be homeroom teachers, the district court’s president and chief judge will also serve as principal and vice principal, respectively, at the school.
Upon completion of the program, the students will continue to undergo individual and group counselling sessions alongside customized education guidance, so they can continue receiving help in future decision-making.
This is actually the second time that the prep school program has been run.
Last August, the Suwon District Court operated a pilot program with 18 at-risk juveniles. Six have since returned to school, four are preparing to resume their studies at outside student centers, while another four are studying for the Korean-equivalent of the GED (General Equivalency Diploma).
A total of 18 youths (15 male, 3 female) will be participating in this year’s program.
“These at-risk juveniles left schools for various reasons, but we hope our program helps them acknowledge the value of school life and the experience, so that they find the courage to return to their rightful place,” said the court official.
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
