Busan Office of Education to Expand Support for Reducing Overcrowded Special Education Classes

41 New and Additional Special Education Classes Established This Year
40 Special Education Teachers Assigned

Busan Metropolitan Office of Education has expanded the establishment and addition of special education classes and assigned additional special education teachers to improve the conditions for special education and to alleviate overcrowding in special education classes due to the increasing number of students requiring special education.

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education is actively promoting the establishment and expansion of special education classes to address overcrowding. Following the establishment and addition of 43 special education classes in the 2024 academic year, a total of 41 new and additional classes, including 36 in general schools and 5 in special schools, will be established in the 2025 academic year. Each class has also received 35 million KRW in environmental support funds.

In addition, in February, a demand survey was conducted for special education classes expected to be overcrowded in the 2025 academic year, and 40 temporary teachers outside the regular quota were assigned to all schools wishing for additional teacher placement.

Furthermore, the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education plans to improve the educational environment for students requiring special education by preparing various support measures to resolve overcrowding in special education classes.

Based on the results of the annual three-year demand survey for students requiring special education, the "Advance Notification System for Schools Targeted for New or Additional Special Education Classes" will be implemented from next year, providing prior notice to schools identified for the installation or expansion of special education classes. The office is also actively considering incentive measures, such as expanding budget support for schools that establish or add special education classes.

Separate from the demand survey for enrollment, beginning this year, the office will also promote the establishment and expansion of special education classes each semester to address overcrowding that arises during the school year. A demand survey for new or additional special education classes in overcrowded schools will be conducted in April, and after consultation with relevant departments, additional special education classes will be established in the second semester. For overcrowded classes where new or additional classes are difficult to establish, additional support will be provided by assigning temporary teachers (such as part-time instructors) to strengthen individualized education for students in overcrowded special education classes.

To fundamentally resolve the imbalance and overcrowding in the placement of special schools (classes) due to the continued increase in students requiring special education, efforts are also being made to establish more special schools. The office aims to relocate and open Busan Solbit School and open Eco Special School in 2026, and to establish 20 special schools by 2030. To achieve this, the office is actively seeking various ways to establish special schools by utilizing unused facilities, such as closed schools due to the declining school-age population, for the establishment of annexed or branch special schools.

Kim Kyungja, Director of Early Childhood and Elementary Care Policy, stated, "The expansion of special schools (classes) is the foundation for guaranteeing the right to choose and participate in education for students requiring special education," and added, "We will fulfill our responsibility for special education by providing multifaceted support for overcrowded special education classes, reducing the burden on special education teachers, and creating an environment where tailored education can be provided to students requiring special education."