'Areas and Schools Without Private Education Burden' First Selection Results
Up to 700 Million KRW Budget per Region
12 Areas Selected Among Education Development Special Zones
Submission of Private Education Reduction Programs by Region
The Ministry of Education is creating 'Schools Without Private Education Burden' to reduce the burden of private education by region and school. Up to 700 million KRW will be invested per region, with education offices, universities, and local governments collaborating to develop models to alleviate private education burdens.
On the 21st, the Ministry of Education announced the first selection results for 'Regions and Schools Without Private Education Burden.' Among the 19 areas designated as the first education development special zones, 12 regions were finally selected as project target areas. Two regions that applied but were not selected for support will undergo additional supplementation, and their support status will be decided during the second selection. Previously, last month, the Ministry designated 25 pilot areas as education development special zones, a government-led region-tailored education reform initiative.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho is announcing the results of the designation of the first pilot areas for the Education Development Special Zone on the morning of February 28 at the briefing room of the Government Seoul Office Annex. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Among basic local governments (Type 1), Chuncheon, Wonju, Gumi, and Uljin were selected, and among metropolitan local governments (Type 2), Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Ulsan, and Jeju were chosen as support targets. Among basic local governments designated by metropolitan local governments (Type 3), Gyeongnam (Jinju, Sacheon, Geoje), Jeonbuk (Iksan, Namwon, Wanju, Muju, Buan), and Jeonnam (Naju, Mokpo, Muan) were included.
The Ministry of Education will invest up to 700 million KRW per region. The operation period is approximately 2 to 3 years. Priority support will be given to education development special zone leading areas, and expansion will be considered later based on performance. Regarding this, a Ministry of Education official explained, "We plan to develop good models and spread them nationwide," adding, "A model created in one region can also be utilized in other regions."
In the selected regions and schools, various private education reduction models will be promoted, including student-level customized learning support, basic academic skills and curriculum supplementation programs, self-directed learning support, and community-linked special programs. For performance management, the Ministry of Education will annually check whether each region has achieved the submitted performance indicators to decide on continued support for the following year and will conduct research analyzing the impact of private education. Additionally, in cooperation with the Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) and the Korean Council for University Education, related information will be provided to the selected regions.
Various program proposals were submitted to reduce the burden of private education by region. For example, Chuncheon aims to reduce math private education expenses focusing on responsible education grades such as 3rd grade elementary, 1st grade middle, and 1st grade high school under the theme 'Chuncheon Without Math Dropouts.' Learning support is provided through 1:1 math mentoring with pre-service teachers and 'Level-Up Camps' during vacations. Busan designated 1st grade middle school as a grade without private education burden and is providing customized educational support such as career exploration. Jeju is conducting 'Learning with Questions,' holding Q&A sessions after regular class hours for 24 schools.
A Ministry of Education official stated, "The goal is to develop excellent private education reduction models tailored to regional characteristics," adding, "We understand that the target reduction rate of private education burden is set between 2% and 10% by region."
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