"Customized Guidance to Nurture Both Dreams and Academic Achievement"… Kim Seok-jun, Candidate for Busan Education Superintendent Re-election, Announces Pledges

Second Policy Package for "Education Normalization" Unveiled
Development of Literacy and Numeracy Diagnostic and Supplementary Programs

Kim Seok-jun, a preliminary candidate running for re-election as Superintendent of Education in Busan, announced his second policy package, "Customized Learning Guidance that Nurtures Both Dreams and Academic Achievement," on the 5th.

On the same day, he visited the "Busan Software Meister High School" in Bongnim-dong, Gangseo-gu, which was established during his previous term as superintendent, to review the school's operations.

Candidate Kim pointed out, "As a result of continuous efforts for balanced development in education during my tenure, satisfaction with public education has increased," and presented the policy goal of "providing a 'public education chance' through which all students, regardless of region, class, or individual characteristics, can nurture their dreams and academic skills through public education."

To achieve this, the first goal is "ensuring basic academic skills through customized personalized education," with plans to promote △development of literacy and numeracy diagnostic and supplementary programs △improvement of BASS (Busan Academic Achievement Support System) and strengthening autonomous operation △solidifying basic academic support through the operation of a two-teacher system per class and a responsible education grade system.

A computer-based diagnostic test program capable of accurately diagnosing literacy and numeracy, which are causes of basic academic underachievement, will be developed, and instructional materials to supplement deficient areas will be distributed.

Additionally, the effectiveness of the "BASS (Busan Academic Achievement Support System)" promoted by the previous superintendent will be reviewed to improve the system and establish an autonomous operation system. Through the "two-teacher system per class" and the "responsible education grade system," basic academic support policies will be solidified so that students lacking basic academic skills can receive help at school.

Secondly, the policy "START supporting online lectures for high school students, education without learning gaps" will be promoted. To improve the reality where income disparities at home lead to disparities in private education and academic achievement gaps, internet lecture fees will be supported for students attending 95 general and autonomous public high schools in Busan.

Each school will recommend about 30 highly motivated low-income students per class, and the education office will handle contracts with internet lecture providers and learning management collectively, reducing the administrative burden on schools.

Thirdly, "support for school transportation vehicles to create equal educational conditions" will also be promoted. This policy reflects Busan's characteristics as a representative city of unbalanced development, where old downtown areas facing school closure crises due to regional extinction coexist with new towns and redevelopment areas experiencing overcrowded classes.

In old downtown areas, joint school districts will be designated to attract students, and vehicle support for commuting convenience will begin. Support for school transportation vehicles will be provided for students in redevelopment areas struggling due to the Ministry of Education's school establishment restrictions, and the designation of joint school districts to disperse students in overcrowded classes will be expanded.

The education office will also handle transportation vehicle-related tasks to avoid burdening schools on site.

Fourthly, for "careful customized support for multicultural and special education students," plans include △supporting AI Korean language learning programs for students from multicultural families △improving special education environments through new and expanded special classes △improving special school facilities and expanding operation of school buses.

Support will be provided to help students from multicultural families learn Korean, and the environment for special education, which faces difficulties such as overcrowded classes, will be continuously improved.

Fifthly, aiming for "restructuring specialized high school departments to support employment dreams," plans include △supporting the transition of Busan Electronics Technical High School to a semiconductor meister high school △continuing department restructuring to meet industrial demands.

Candidate Kim Seok-jun said, "The importance of restructuring specialized high school departments to actively respond to changes in Busan's industrial structure is growing day by day to help students who wish to find employment realize their dreams," adding, "Based on my experience and capabilities in converting Busan Industrial Science High School into a Software Meister High School, I will ensure the successful transition of Busan Electronics Technical High School into a semiconductor meister high school and nurture talent in the power semiconductor industry, which will be a future growth industry for Busan."

The Busan Software Meister High School, which Candidate Kim visited immediately after the policy announcement, opened in 2021 during his tenure as superintendent. Most graduates of this school rapidly find employment in software development and system operation companies, including public enterprises, making it a public meister high school attracting applicants nationwide.