Elementary, middle, and high schools in Jeollabuk-do started the new school year with a freshman entrance ceremony on March 4.

Out of 417 elementary schools in Jeollabuk-do, entrance ceremonies were held in 392 schools, excluding 25 schools that had no new students. At the schools where the ceremonies were held, time was set aside to warmly welcome the new students starting their school life.

At Jeonju Woojeon Elementary School, despite the rainy weather, the faces of the new students, holding their parents' hands and heading to the auditorium for the entrance ceremony, were full of anticipation. Reflecting the trend of decreasing numbers of children, there were families of new students who came to school with their grandparents, and many new students walked to school with their parents according to the school's prior notice. Teachers welcomed the new students at the entrance of the auditorium with bright smiles. After the entrance ceremony, the new students showed their anticipation for the new school life as they left school with their parents.

Entrance ceremonies for new students were also held at middle and high schools on the same day. Unlike elementary schools, the entrance ceremonies at middle and high schools were held in a relatively calm atmosphere, and classes resumed immediately after the events. Each school prepared a meaningful event to welcome new students and mark the start of the new school year.

Meanwhile, this year in Jeollabuk-do, due to the decrease in school-age population, there were a total of 29 schools, including 25 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 1 high school, that had no new students.

Looking at the data by region, in Gimje City, there were 4 schools with no new students, and in Iksan City, Jeongeup City, Imsil County, Sunchang County, Muju County, and Buan County, there were 3 schools each that did not welcome any new students. In Jinan County, there were 2 schools, and in Gunsan City, Namwon City, Wanju County, Jangsu County, and Gochang County, there was 1 school each with no new students.

In addition, there were 5 schools with no graduating students, including Daegang Middle School in Namwon, Yongdam Middle School and Jinsung Middle School in Jinan, Gureum Middle School in Sunchang, and Wido High School in Buan.

This phenomenon, a result of the decrease in school-age population, is having a significant impact on local communities and the education sector.