Gyeongbuk Office of Education Reports 5% Annual Increase in Special Education Students... 68 New and Expanded Special Classes This Year

Gyeongbuk Office of Education (Superintendent Lim Jong-sik) announced on the 6th that it will newly establish and expand 68 special classes in special schools and kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools across the province for the 2025 academic year to guarantee educational opportunities and broad learning rights for students with special educational needs.

The establishment of special classes is based on the "Special Education Act for Persons with Disabilities," and this year, 3 kindergarten classes, 30 elementary school classes, 16 middle school classes, 12 high school classes, and 7 special school classes will be newly established or expanded. Excluding the 12 special classes that will be reduced, there will be a net increase of 56 special classes compared to last year, which surpasses last year's largest increase.

Special Classes Established in Schools in the Gyeongbuk Region

The number of students with special educational needs in Gyeongbuk has shown an increasing trend of about 5% annually over the past five years, unlike the decline in general student numbers. This year, the number of students with special educational needs is expected to exceed 6,600, an increase of about 350 from last year's 6,241, making the expansion of special classes urgently necessary.

In particular, some areas have faced serious overcrowding issues exceeding the criteria for class establishment. The new establishment and expansion of 68 special classes this time are expected to significantly alleviate the accumulated overcrowding.

The Gyeongbuk Office of Education plans to support a budget of around 50 million KRW per newly established or expanded special class to create an educational environment suitable for the types and characteristics of disabilities of students with special educational needs. By providing safe educational spaces considering ventilation, air circulation, and soundproofing, it aims to support students with disabilities to learn in a comfortable environment.

Additionally, to facilitate the smooth establishment and expansion of special classes, the office enacted the "Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education Special Class Establishment Support Ordinance" last year, systematized the procedures for new establishment and expansion, and strengthened administrative support by publishing manuals for the selection and placement of students with special educational needs.

Furthermore, to secure idle classrooms within schools, since last year, an additional budget of 20 million KRW has been provided to schools to cover the costs of moving existing general classrooms and special rooms, improving conditions for the establishment and expansion of special classes.

Superintendent Lim Jong-sik of the Gyeongbuk Office of Education stated, “The number of students with special educational needs is expected to continue increasing, and accordingly, the establishment and expansion of special schools and special classes must continue to grow.” He added, “This is not only about guaranteeing the learning rights of students with disabilities but also directly related to improving teaching conditions for special education teachers. We will continue to provide unwavering support to create an educational environment that satisfies both students with disabilities and special education teachers.”