SCHOOLS IN RURAL AREAS ADMIT SENIOR STUDENTS

[Anchor Lead]

Schools in rural communities with rapidly shrinking population are at risk of shutdown due to a shortage of students. But now those schools are finding ways to survive by admitting old students and teaching them the joy of learning.

[Pkg]

High school graduation ceremony is considered an important milestone – a moment where three years of hard work marks its end. Seated among teenage graduates are students in their 60s dressed neatly in their school uniforms. These older students, who started high school late in their lives, reminisce about their belated high school years.

[Soundbite] PARK SEON-YEONG(GRADUATE RECITING A POEM) : "The uniform felt awkward. My head nearly burst during midterm and finals."

These four older graduates, all village residents, have already been admitted to college and are getting ready to start another exciting chapter of their lives.

[Soundbite] PARK YEONG-NAM & JO EUN-AE(GRADUATES) : "We were supposed to set an example. So we chose to go to college. I hope us graduating from college could inspire younger students to do the same."

Out of 47 students in the school's sophomore and junior classes, 19 are in their 50s through 70s. These older students find the long overdue joy of learning and even bring energy to the school lacking young students.

[Soundbite] LIM KI-NAM(JUNIOR, DOHWA HIGH SCHOOL) : "I wanted to receive the latest education and revive our school."

[Soundbite] LEE GYEONG-WOO(PRINCIPAL, DOHWA HIGH SCHOOL) : "They eagerly joined the objective of reviving the school. We hope to turn it into the hub of regional growth."

There are about 150 senior citizen students attending 40 elementary, middle and high schools in the Jeollanam-do region. Schools in rural communities are in danger of shutting down due to the shrinking school age populations. These older, mature students help sustain and enrich these schools.