Student with Disabilities Denied Admission to Special School... Human Rights Commission: "Increase Classes and Budget"

Students with Disabilities Assigned to Regular Schools Due to Lack of Classes
Human Rights Commission: "Capacity Limits Must Not Be Repeated"
Recommendation for Systemic Improvement Based on UN Convention

The National Human Rights Commission has recommended that education authorities expand special education classes and provide budgetary support, in response to cases where students with disabilities were denied admission due to a shortage of special school classes.

The National Human Rights Commission Gwangju Human Rights Office announced on April 22 that it had recently called on local education authorities to promptly provide funding for the expansion of classes at a special school in the area, and to develop measures to increase the number of special education classes for students with disabilities in the province.

National Human Rights Commission Gwangju Human Rights Office.

This decision stems from an incident in which a student with severe intellectual disabilities applied for admission to a special school but was assigned to a regular middle school due to a lack of available classes. The school notified the student that admission was not possible, citing limitations in its capacity. The local education office explained that the assignment was made after comprehensively considering the degree of disability and the guardian's opinion.

Although the Commission dismissed the related complaint, it pointed out that "systemic improvements are needed to guarantee that students eligible for special education can receive the education they desire." The Commission further stated, "Although these circumstances are unavoidable due to the school's capacity limits, policy responses are required to ensure that the educational rights of children with disabilities are not restricted."

According to the decision, the special school in question has faced a shortage of capacity despite converting special-purpose rooms into classrooms due to a continuous increase in new students. The Commission emphasized, "It is urgent to expand the number of classes and secure funding to prevent students eligible for special education from being repeatedly assigned to alternative schools."

The Commission also cited the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, stating that "the national and local governments must actively ensure that children with disabilities can receive appropriate education without discrimination."