Imagine students filling their trays with fish cake soup and bibimbap. Welcome to Changdeok Girls’ Middle School. This is in Jung-gu Seoul. It’s lunchtime on a Friday. Let’s explore this school’s story.
Changdeok Girls’ Middle School offers more than just academics. It provides culinary delights. Principal Kim Young-hwa emphasizes nutritious lunches. She believes good food is as important as studying. Cafeteria staff arrive early. They prepare meals with care. The school avoids mass-produced food. They offer various options for dietary needs. They also reduce salt.
South Korea values healthy eating. It is one of the few countries providing free lunches. These are for all students in compulsory education. This includes kindergarten through high school. The goal is to ensure access to healthy food. It also builds healthy eating habits.
In 2022, the Ministry of Education allocated a large budget. It was around 7.53 trillion won for school meals. This covers operating costs. It includes food and nutrition staff. It also accounts for equipment and facilities. Fresh and balanced meals require investment.
Nutritionists carefully plan each meal at Changdeok Girls’ Middle School. They adhere to strict dietary guidelines. They ensure meals are appetizing. Each lunch includes protein. It also has vitamins A and C. Thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, and iron are included. Portion sizes are based on students’ ages. The school uses local and seasonal ingredients. This provides fresh meals with varied colors and flavors.
Changdeok Girls’ Middle School also focuses on arts education. Starting in 2015, 7th and 8th graders had cultural arts education. Eighth graders attended a musical course every Wednesday. Seventh graders took pottery, crafts, design, and creative art classes.
Musical class is an interdisciplinary course. It combines Korean language, social studies, music, and art. Students studied Korean literary classics. They learned songs and choreography. They drew stage backgrounds. Students pitched ideas as a group. They finished scenarios.
Arts education nurtures confidence. It promotes self-expression. Students positively engage in presentations and discussions.
Changdeok Girls’ Middle School is more than just a school. It is a place of growth. It nurtures both body and mind. It prepares students for a bright future.