On March 4th, two days from now, the 2025 school year will begin. However, a shocking survey result that teachers, parents, and the education office in the Jeonbuk region must face before the new school year has been released. In 2024, Jeonbuk's Child Happiness Index recorded a dismal 16th place out of 17 cities and provinces nationwide, and also recorded the lowest national score (7.42 points) in a subjective happiness survey, revealing that children are experiencing a severe decline in life satisfaction.

This survey was conducted by the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation Child Welfare Research Institute and was carried out by Korea Research, Inc., using a web survey method utilizing email and mobile. The survey targeted 10,140 children and adolescents from the first grade of elementary school to the second grade of high school, including 10,020 general households and 120 low-income households. Jeonbuk's Child Happiness Index was 43.9 points, significantly below the national average (45.3 points), and was the lowest in the country, just 0.2 points higher than Incheon, which recorded the lowest score (43.7 points).

In particular, compared to Sejong, which has the highest Child Happiness Index (49.8 points), children in Jeonbuk are experiencing a different quality of life despite being born in the same country. While regions such as Sejong, Jeju (48.6 points), Busan (47.2 points), Jeonnam (46.5 points), and Gyeongnam (46.2 points) recorded high scores, Jeonbuk was unable to escape the lower ranks along with Gyeonggi (44.8 points), Seoul (44.8 points), Gangwon (44.5 points), and Incheon (43.7 points).

The low Child Happiness Index in Jeonbuk is analyzed as a result of complex factors at work. First, the lack of educational and cultural facilities is cited as a major cause. Libraries, sports facilities, parks, and other infrastructure that children can use are lacking compared to other regions, limiting opportunities for leisure activities. This environment is directly linked to the quality of children's lives and affects overall satisfaction.

Socio-economic factors also appear to have a negative impact on child happiness. The Jeonbuk region has a high average household debt and maintains a high unemployment rate nationwide. These economic difficulties can result in limiting children's educational opportunities and participation in cultural and sports activities within the family.

In addition, the academic burden on children in Jeonbuk is not insignificant. The average daily study time exceeded the national average, but leisure time was relatively lacking. The overall happiness of children is decreasing as the environment where they cannot secure enough rest and play time continues. The imbalance between academics and leisure is another factor contributing to the decline in the Child Happiness Index.

The Jeonbuk Education Office has set academic improvement and strengthening of academic learning as its main policy direction. However, some point out that policies to increase academic achievement through uniform and past oppressive competitive evaluations, rather than expanding learning choices, are exacerbating students' academic burden. This could lead to a lack of sleep and a decrease in leisure time, potentially having a negative impact on the Child Happiness Index.

To solve these problems, experts point out the need for overall environmental improvements for children. They suggest the need for expanding educational and cultural infrastructure, expanding economic support for families, ensuring rest and play time for children, and establishing regional specialized child policies. In particular, it is an urgent task to expand cultural and sports facilities within the Jeonbuk region and increase play spaces. By improving access to libraries, gyms, and child welfare centers, children should be able to have a variety of experiences.

Customized support is also needed for families facing economic difficulties. By expanding educational support funds for low-income families and strengthening care services, the stability of children's lives can be improved. In addition, improvements in educational policy are needed to reduce academic burden and ensure that children have enough leisure time. It is important to expand after-school programs to provide various experiential learning opportunities. This will create an environment where children can freely play and rest away from simple academic stress.

The fact that Jeonbuk's Child Happiness Index recorded the lower ranks nationwide is not just a simple statistical figure, but reflects the fact that the quality of life that children actually feel is low. To solve this, active support and policy-making for a society where children are happy are urgently needed. Given that children's happiness is a crucial factor determining the future of the region, it is time for local governments and communities to take a more proactive stance.