Gov't to help youth in institutional care become independent through digital education

Lee Ju-ho, center, deputy prime minister and education minister, speaks during a Ministerial Conference on Social Relations at the Government Complex in Seoul, Friday. The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it will support digital education for children in institutional care to bridge the education gap and help them become independent. Yonhap

By Baek Byung-yeul

The government will support digital education for young people emerging from institutional care to independence, to bridge education gaps and help with the multitude of life challenges they face, the ICT ministry said Friday.

During a Ministerial Conference on Social Relations held at the Government Complex in Seoul, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the support measure.

Around 2,000 young people under the protection of institutional care prepare for independence at the age of 18 every year. But they face difficulties due in part to a lack of social support systems, the ICT ministry said.

“The measures are designed to support youth in the digital sector amid the government's growing interest and policies, including President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to an institutional care facility, a luncheon for youth preparing for self-reliance and his pledge of providing complementary measures to support them,” the ministry said.

To bridge the educational gap for children staying in institutional care, the ministry will provide artificial intelligence (AI) based learning, reading comprehension diagnosis programs and psychological counseling.

By providing a tailored AI tutoring program, the government aims to improve their basic learning skills. Eye tracking and analysis based on AI technology will also test for dyslexia. Based on this, they are provided with leveled content and supported with reading comprehension training.

The government will provide customized digital education from basic to advanced levels, supporting employment prospects in digital technology-related jobs and helping individuals build small businesses. Mentoring programs will also be provided to help them complete educational pathways and step out beyond.

“We need to pay attention to the loneliness and struggles that young people face when they come out on their own,” Park Yun-kyu, vice minister of science and ICT, said. “We have designed this initiative to ensure fair opportunities for young people who are preparing for independence with digital skills, just like other young people, and to provide an opportunity for growth.”