South Korean schools hold entrance ceremony for one child as empty-class crisis reaches Seoul

In Pyeongchang, a 7-year-old student named Kang was the only child to enter first grade at his elementary school this year. The small school has only 18 students in total and had to combine two grade levels into one class. To keep the school open, it offers special programs such as camping, skiing, water sports and reading activities to attract families from cities. Some students also joined through a rural study-abroad program supported by Gangwon Provincial Office of Education.

This situation reflects a larger problem across South Korea. Many rural schools are facing an “empty classroom” crisis due to the declining number of children. In Gangwon Province alone, 20 elementary schools had no new first-grade students this year, while 21 schools had only one. Nationwide, 210 elementary schools enrolled no first-graders in 2026, a sharp increase compared to five years ago.

The problem is linked to South Korea’s extremely low birth rate. The country’s fertility rate fell to 0.72 in 2023 and has only slightly increased since then. Many rural areas are now mostly populated by elderly residents, leaving few children to attend local schools. While officials hope to maintain education quality with smaller class sizes, declining student numbers also mean fewer teachers and limited budgets for schools.

Edited using generative AI tools.
Source: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/south-korean-schools-hold-entrance-ceremony-for-one-child-as-empty-class-crisis-reaches-seoul-5047142.html

Comprehension

How many first-grade students enrolled at Kang’s school this year?
Why are many rural schools in South Korea losing students?
What programs does Kang’s school offer to attract families?
How many schools in Gangwon Province had zero first-grade students?
What demographic trend is causing the empty classroom crisis?

Discussion

Why do you think birth rates are declining in many countries?
How does a low birth rate affect schools and communities?
Should governments try to keep small rural schools open? Why or why not?
What programs could attract families to live in rural areas?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of very small classes?
How might the education system change if the number of students keeps declining?
What challenges do rural communities face compared to big cities?
How can governments encourage young families to have children?

Vocabulary

Viable – able to continue working successfully or survive.
Enrollment – the number of students registered in a school.
Fertility rate – the average number of children born to women in a population.
Rural – relating to the countryside, not cities.
Demographic – related to the structure or characteristics of a population.