Ulsan Office of Education to Establish Ulsan Special Education Institute in Seongan-dong

Project Cost: 41.7 Billion KRW, 4 Floors Above Ground, Total Floor Area 5,475㎡

Ministry of Education Central Investment Review, Scheduled to Open in 2028

The Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education (Superintendent Cheon Changsu) announced on the 12th that it will establish the Ulsan Special Education Institute in Seongan-dong, Jung-gu, with the goal of opening in the second half of 2028.

The institute will be a four-story building with a total floor area of 5,475 square meters, and approximately 41.7 billion KRW will be invested in the project.

Currently, Ulsan does not have a special education institute that can systematically support the educational field and serve as a command center. Daegu, Daejeon, Chungbuk, and Gyeongnam operate such institutes, while Gangwon is scheduled to open one in 2026 and Chungnam in 2027. Nine cities and provinces, including Ulsan, that do not yet have a special education institute are pursuing their establishment.

In the Ulsan region, there are 3,055 students eligible for special education (795 in special schools and 2,260 in general and special classes) and 1,326 special education staff (645 special education teachers, 374 special education assistants, and 307 social service agents).

There are three Special Education Support Centers (one at the main office, one each in Gangbuk and Gangnam), but they are insufficient to conduct policy research on the development and improvement of special education.

Accordingly, the Ulsan Office of Education has been pursuing the establishment of the Ulsan Special Education Institute, a specialized institution, to enhance teachers' special education capabilities and create a robust educational environment for students.

Various locations such as Jung-gu, Buk-gu, and Ulju-gun were considered for the site, but the land in front of Seongan Elementary School in Jung-gu was recently selected after comprehensive consideration of accessibility for students, teachers, and parents, as well as the proximity to special schools.

After passing the central investment review by the Ministry of Education in October, the plan is to proceed with land acquisition, design, and construction following next year's main budget allocation, aiming for an opening in the second half of 2028.

The first floor will feature barrier-free experience spaces such as an immersive disability awareness experience room using expanded virtual worlds (metaverse), a Universal Design (UD) experience room, and an inclusive education room, supporting non-disabled students in improving their awareness of disabilities and fostering a culture of empathy.

The second floor will include a dance practice room, an art activity room, an augmented reality (AR) vocational training room, and a life craft room, where students with disabilities can showcase their talents and receive career and vocational education.

The third floor will house a behavior intervention room and a remote learning room. This area will support positive behavior for students with disabilities and help them participate more in school life and build adaptability through a systematic and professional medical support system.

The fourth floor will be composed of research and training spaces, such as a training room and seminar room.

The Ulsan Special Education Institute will provide various training programs for teachers, including disability rights support training (for administrators), special education curriculum operation and informatization training (for special education teachers), and disability empathy culture training (for all teachers), aiming to improve awareness and strengthen capabilities.

For students, the institute will offer a variety of experiences such as career and vocational fairs for students with disabilities and mock interview counseling (consulting), supporting employment and providing cultural, artistic, and sports education through leisure programs.

For parents, the institute will provide specialized training such as transition period guardian education, family support programs, and career and vocational training, as well as increase parental participation in education through club activities.

On the 5th, Superintendent Cheon Changsu visited Baekyangsa, the owner of the land, to discuss the establishment of the special education institute and met with Chief Monk Mukam.

At the meeting, Chief Monk Mukam promised, "I sympathize with the Ulsan Office of Education's intention to realize education that advances our society together with consideration and understanding for people with disabilities and the socially disadvantaged, and I will actively cooperate."

Superintendent Cheon Changsu stated, "Through the development of special education policy research and expertise, as well as customized special education support for individual student growth, we will ensure that the Ulsan Special Education Institute becomes a comprehensive support hub that can enhance the capabilities of special education in Ulsan."