Gwangju Education Group Calls for Expanded Alternative Education Opportunities for All Students

Last Year, Creative School Applicants Exceeded Capacity
Specialized High School Dropout Rates Rising Annually

There has been a call to expand the admission eligibility for "Gwangju Pureunkkum Creative School," an alternative education consignment institution operated by the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, from general high school students to include specialized high school students as well.

According to the civic group "Citizens' Coalition for a Society Without Academic Cliques" on the 7th, last year, 256 students applied for 225 spots at Pureunkkum Creative School, resulting in a competition rate of 1.13 to 1.

The civic group commented, "This result reflects the growing interest of students and parents in alternative schools," and pointed out, "Recently, the dropout rate at specialized high schools in the Gwangju area has been increasing every year, making it insufficient to provide various ways for students to find alternatives within the formal education system."

Supporting these concerns, recent surveys show that the number of students dropping out of specialized high schools in the Gwangju area has been increasing annually.

Status of Academic Dropout in Specialized High Schools in the Gwangju Area.

According to the "Status of Dropouts at Specialized High Schools in Gwangju" released by the group, the number has increased each year from 218 in 2022 to 268 and then to 303 last year.

The group expressed concern, stating, "If students who have not found their dreams in regular schools become frustrated at the threshold of alternative education, they risk being left outside the school system," and added, "This not only destroys educational opportunities for those involved but also intensifies social alienation, stigma, and social instability."

They urged, "We call on the Office of Education to operate alternative education institutions in a way that provides fair and equal admission opportunities for all students," and requested, "Please strive to further enrich the alternative education ecosystem so that it can embrace the diverse dreams and talents of students."