[News Terms] 'Modular Classrooms' to Alleviate Overcrowded Classes

'Modular classrooms' is a general term for school buildings whose walls, windows, wiring, and plumbing are standardized and pre-manufactured in a factory, then transported to the school for assembly and installation.

The first introduction of modular classrooms was at Gochang High School in Jeonbuk in January 2020. Since then, the Ministry of Education has been implementing the 'Green Smart Future School' project from February 2021 to 2025, investing a budget of 18.5 trillion KRW to rebuild and remodel 1,400 schools and 2,835 buildings that are over 40 years old. As of the end of March, modular classrooms have been installed in over 120 schools nationwide.

Since it takes at least 4 to 5 years to build or open a new school, modular classrooms are used as temporary classrooms during this period or to alleviate overcrowded classes in large cities. They have replaced the 'container classrooms' that schools used in the past when temporary classrooms were needed.

Modular classroom.
Photo by Asia Economy DB

Compared to traditional reinforced concrete or steel frame construction methods, the construction period is shortened to one year. After being used temporarily until the new or expanded school building is completed, modular classrooms can be recycled for other facilities or dismantled and relocated to where they are needed and reassembled. About 90% of the existing facilities can be reused.

With steel beams and columns, concrete floors, H-beam steel seismic structures, and the use of eco-friendly and fireproof materials, modular classrooms have seismic performance capable of withstanding earthquakes of magnitude 7, as well as insulation, noise blocking, and fire resistance, matching the performance of general buildings. The Ministry of Education and the Fire Agency have established 'Fire Installation and Safety Management Standards for Temporary Classrooms' to ensure that modular classrooms are equipped with the same fire safety facilities as regular schools.

Representative buildings constructed using the same modular method as modular classrooms include the Garibong Youth Housing in Seoul and the Yeongdeok Happy Housing in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, which are 12 and 13 stories tall, respectively. Modular classrooms are limited to a maximum of 3 stories.

On the 5th, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced that it will sign a 5 billion KRW modular classroom rental agreement with Plan M, an eco-friendly school modular company. According to this agreement, Seoul Daebang Elementary School, which is currently renting modular classrooms, will have its rental period extended until February 2027, when the annex building construction is completed.