Schools in Namhae, Hamyang, Hapcheon and Sacheon account for 26.7 percent of 15 selected nationwide; programs range from ocean survival swimming to aerospace education

The South Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education [South Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education]
The South Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education [South Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education]

Four schools in South Gyeongsang Province have been selected in the Ministry of Education's 2026 "Truly Great Rural Schools" competition.

The South Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education announced Friday that Sangju Elementary School in Namhae, Baekjeon Elementary School in Hamyang, Ssangbaek Elementary School in Hapcheon and Yongnam High School in Sacheon were among the winners.

A total of 117 schools from across the country entered the competition, and 15 were ultimately selected. The four South Gyeongsang schools accounted for 26.7 percent of the total.

The selected schools were recognized for incorporating local natural environments, culture and industrial resources — both human and material — into their curricula.

Sangju Elementary School in Namhae ran an ecology-focused curriculum drawing on the area's coastal character, offering ocean survival swimming, surfing and an eco-friendly terraced rice paddy project. Total enrollment at the school grew from 23 to 57 students.

Baekjeon Elementary School in Hamyang operated a community-linked curriculum called "Kkummasil," which included village tours and vacant-home revitalization projects. Ssangbaek Elementary School in Hapcheon ran an experience-centered "Warak Happy Curriculum" aimed at homeschooled students and others. Yongnam High School in Sacheon developed an aerospace-themed curriculum in partnership with universities and local industry, drawing on the region's industrial base.

South Gyeongsang Provincial Superintendent of Education Kwon Sun-gi said the results were "an achievement made possible through the cooperation of teachers, parents and the community," adding that the office would continue to support the spread of innovative practices to other rural schools across the province.


ook967@heraldcorp.com