Busan Office of Education Finds No Issues in Proactive Survey on "Rebox School" Controversy

Survey on Neulbom Program Consignment Contracts at 319 Schools from June 2 to 5
Guidance on Future Internal School Inspections and On-site Consulting to Be Provided

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education (Superintendent Kim Seokjun) conducted a full-scale survey on the operation status of the Neulbom program related to Rebox School from June 2 to June 5, targeting a total of 319 schools, including 303 elementary schools, 12 special schools (elementary courses), and 4 Neulbom-only schools.

This survey was carried out as a proactive measure to ensure student protection and the public nature of education, in response to social concerns over the activities of instructors affiliated with private organizations that have been accused of political bias.

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education focused its investigation on the following: whether there were any program consignment contracts with the relevant organization, whether instructors held related certifications, and the status of instructors' completion of relevant training. As a result, it was confirmed that not a single school had consigned a program to the relevant organization, and there were no instructors holding related certifications.

However, it was found that one instructor currently active at two elementary schools in the Busan area is serving as a director of the private organization in question. The Office of Education plans to conduct an additional investigation to determine whether this instructor has made any politically biased remarks during educational activities and will take follow-up measures if necessary.

Going forward, the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education will provide guidance to all schools on strengthening internal inspections for instructor management and will also support on-site consulting. In addition, the office plans to enhance transparency and public accountability in program operations by tightening qualification standards for instructor selection, in cooperation with the Qualification Research Center of the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training.

Superintendent Kim Seokjun stated, "Political neutrality and public accountability are core values that must be upheld in public education," and added, "We will make every effort to ensure that instructor selection and management are conducted in a way that students and parents can trust."

Busan Metropolitan Office of Education.