Remember the name Noh Song-ae. Her story is deeply intertwined with Seoul Daewang Elementary School. This school stands as a testament to both progress and the challenges of overcoming prejudice.
Seoul Daewang Elementary School is located in Gangnam-gu. It is a public elementary school. The school opened its doors on May 1 1933. It began as a four-year school.
In 1969 Seoul Daewang Elementary School faced a difficult situation. Five children from Ettinger Village were enrolled. Ettinger Village was a leprosy rehabilitation center. Parents of other students protested. They feared contagion.
The Korea Times published diary excerpts of Noh Song-ae. She was one of the five children. She wrote about classmates refusing to enter the classroom with her. The Seoul Board of Education planned a separate school for these children.
Critics argued this segregation would trigger a chain reaction. The Ministry of Education intervened. They ordered the city to integrate the children. Parents continued to protest. They demanded the principal be dismissed.
Education Minister Hong Jong-chul transferred his daughter to Seoul Daewang Elementary School. This was to show his support. Four health ministry officials volunteered to care for the children. This was to prove they were not infectious.
Ultimately the government created a new primary school for the five children. They began attending school at the Korea Theological Seminary. It was far from home. The children had to stay in dorms.
Despite the challenges Seoul Daewang Elementary School persevered. It adapted over the years. In 1996 the school changed to its current name.
Since then Seoul Daewang Elementary School has seen many improvements. A dining hall opened in 1997. A computer room opened in 1998. A lecture hall opened in 2001. An English learning center opened in 2006. The dining hall was modernized in 2009. A school building and kindergarten opened in 2012. The Daewang Nuri Hall gymnasium opened in 2013.
Seoul Daewang Elementary School continues to educate students. It has a proud history. The school’s flower is the Korean rosebay. The school tree is the Chinese juniper. These represent the students’ bright hope and unwavering spirit. As of 2023 the school has 669 students and 44 staff members.
The story of Seoul Daewang Elementary School is one of resilience. It serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusion. It shows us the power of education.