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| Lee Byung-do, a candidate for Chungnam Education Superintendent, held a press conference on February 10 at the Chungnam Provincial Office Press Center. /Photo by Oh Hyun-min |
Lee Byung-do officially announced his candidacy, pledging to shape the future of education in Chungnam based on his 39 years of experience in the field. He highlighted his top priority: a student book voucher program aimed at transforming Chungnam into a reading education hub.
At the February 10 morning press conference, Lee declared, “I will build upon Kim Ji-cheol’s 12-year legacy of innovative education in Chungnam and redesign our system to lead in this era of transformation,” marking his formal entry into the superintendent race.
Recognized as an expert in education and administration, Lee has served as a classroom teacher, Director of Education, and Education Director of Cheonan. He cited his swift action in establishing an online school within three days during the COVID-19 crisis, asserting, “I will tackle the demographic challenges and potential regional decline facing Chungnam’s education system.”
Lee’s flagship proposal, the ‘Chungnam Student Book Voucher,’ aims to provide all K-12 students in the province with an annual 100,000 KRW (75 USD) in local currency. This initiative seeks to boost student literacy while supporting local bookstores, fostering a synergy between education and the local economy.
“When children select books themselves at bookstores, it’s the epitome of self-directed learning,” Lee explained. He added that the voucher program would ease parents’ educational costs while nurturing children’s wisdom and offering hope to local merchants—a policy with multiple benefits.
Lee also plans to implement targeted measures such as mobile bookstores for rural students without local access, school book fairs in partnership with local shops, and a reservation system for small town libraries.
Addressing the ongoing Daejeon-Chungnam administrative merger talks, Lee strongly opposed any legislation that could compromise educational autonomy.
“Some proposed bills include provisions, like the introduction of elite schools, that fall under the special mayor’s authority,” he noted, emphasizing the need for revisions. “Despite time constraints, I hope the National Assembly will thoroughly debate these recurring issues,” he added.
Regarding potential consolidation with Daejeon Education Superintendent candidates during the merger, Lee cautiously stated, “We can address this once the integration process is further along.”
In closing, Lee committed, “As Daejeon-Chungnam integration discussions progress, we must develop an educational framework that serves both regions. We should prioritize debates and public forums over campaign activities, allowing candidates to enhance their knowledge.” He pledged to maintain educational continuity and stability during institutional changes as a well-prepared superintendent.
Naepo = Oh Hyun-min
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