“Imagine a school bell. It no longer rings at Seoul Eunpyeong Elementary School.” Eunhye Elementary School once stood here in Eunpyeong-gu. It was a private elementary school. The school opened its doors on March 10, 1966.
However Seoul Eunpyeong Elementary School closed on March 6 2018. All students transferred to other schools. This closure marked a significant moment. It became the first private elementary school in Seoul to shut down.
Eunhye Academy managed the school. They cited operational difficulties due to declining student numbers. In December 2017 the academy announced its plans to close the school. They submitted a request for closure.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education initially rejected the request. They stated that closure was impossible without parental consent. Despite opposition Eunhye Academy moved forward. In January 2018 they notified teachers of their termination. They planned for closure.
Parents protested the planned closure. The Office of Education maintained its stance against it. Due to opposition about the high enrollment fees all students transferred schools. Eunhye Elementary School effectively closed on March 6 2018.
The Office of Education did not accept the closure application. Legally the school remained open for four more years. But after March 6 2018 it was no longer functioning.
In January 2021 a court ruled on the matter. The Eunhye Academy had to compensate the students. Each student received three million won. Parents received 500000 won.
The Office of Education later issued an order to abolish the school. In March 2022 the school closure became final.
The affiliated kindergarten initially continued operations. The Office of Education approved its conversion to a private kindergarten. However by April 2020 both students and staff had left. The kindergarten effectively closed. Yet as of May 2022 no official closure or dissolution had occurred.
Though Seoul Eunpyeong Elementary School is physically closed its story lives on. It serves as a reminder of the challenges facing small schools. It also shows the impact of school closures on students and communities.