Gwangju Office of Education Ranks First Nationwide in Purchasing Products Made by People with Severe Disabilities

2.73% of Purchases from Products Made by People with Severe Disabilities
Highest Performance Among All Offices of Education Nationwide

The Gwangju Office of Education recorded the highest purchase rate of products made by people with severe disabilities among the 17 metropolitan and provincial offices of education nationwide last year.

Gwangju Office of Education.

According to the Gwangju Office of Education on May 1, the priority purchase system for products made by people with severe disabilities was established to provide vocational rehabilitation opportunities and jobs for those who face difficulties in competitive employment. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has set a legal requirement for public institutions to ensure that at least 1% of their total purchases are comprised of such products. This requirement will be raised to 1.1% starting in 2025.

As a result of proactive guidance and encouragement provided to its main office, affiliated organizations, and schools, the Gwangju Office of Education filled 2.73% of its total purchases with products made by people with severe disabilities last year. This figure represents an increase of 0.83 percentage points compared to 2023, making it the highest among all metropolitan and provincial offices of education nationwide.

Superintendent Lee Jungseon stated, "With the legal mandatory purchase ratio raised to 1.1% this year, we will actively guide schools and institutions to ensure that the priority purchase of products made by people with severe disabilities is vigorously implemented." He added, "We will do our utmost to contribute, even in a small way, to the vocational rehabilitation and economic independence of people with severe disabilities."