GS E&C builds classrooms for after-school programs, supports kids of low-income families

GS E&C CEO Huh Yoon-hong, center, poses with Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon, left, and Shin Jeong-won, head of ChildFund Korea’s corporate social responsibility division, at the Seoul education office’s headquarters in Seoul, Monday, after agreeing to help establish more Elementary Dolbom after-school classrooms. Courtesy of GS E&C

GS Engineering and Construction (E&C) is joining hands with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE) to establish the Elementary Dolbom (care) after-school program for low-income and dual-income families, the construction company said Monday.

The company said its CEO Huh Yoon-hong met with SMOE Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon and Shin Jeong-won, head of ChildFund Korea's corporate social responsibility division, to sign an agreement on establishing GS E&C Happy Dolbom classrooms.

At a time when polarization of education expenses has emerged as a social issue with increases in dual-income households and private education costs, Elementary Dolbom is drawing attention as a way to reduce private education costs for low-income families.

Elementary Dolbom is a system where dedicated caregivers look after children in separate spaces within elementary school classrooms after regular school hours.

It is aimed at expanding a school's child care and education functions, supporting students of marginalized communities and developing their talents and abilities through extracurricular lessons in a comfortable environment after regular classes.

GS E&C will provide financial support for the renovation work required for its Happy Dolbom classroom project and oversee the construction work. Existing classroom spaces will be transformed into multipurpose spaces suitable for various after-school classes, such as reading activities and art classes.

Since 2023, GS E&C has been supporting the Elementary Dolbom program led by SMOE and ChildFund Korea in collaboration with the J K Huh Foundation.

Last year, the company completed the first Dolbom classroom at Susaek Elementary School in Seoul's Eunpyeong District, and in March this year it completed the second one at Myeonnam Elementary School in Jungnang District.

In the second year of support, with the signing of this agreement, GS E&C plans to double the budget compared to the previous year and aims to complete a total of four Dolbom classes annually.

"In the ESG era, GS E&C's social contribution activities aim to share the company's resources with local community members and strive for the self-reliance of underprivileged future generations, creating social value for a better future," a company spokesperson said.