Jeonnam and Gyeongbuk Education Offices to Jointly Respond to Government's Teacher Reduction Policy

'Yeonghonam Education Exchange Policy Council' Held in Yeosu
Discussion on Introducing 'Special Local Talent Selection System' for New Teacher Recruitment

The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education and the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education held the 'Yeonghonam Education Exchange Policy Council' in Yeosu, Jeonnam, over two days from July 10 to 11, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of teacher policy.

This council was organized to discuss joint tasks across the overall education administration of Jeonnam and Gyeongbuk, which face common educational challenges such as population decline and regional disparities, and to enhance the effectiveness of education policies through solidarity and cooperation. The two offices especially expressed serious concern about the reduction of teacher quotas and agreed to jointly respond to the central government's unilateral reduction policy.

Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education and Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education held the 'Yeonghonam Education Exchange Policy Council' in Yeosu, Jeonnam. Provided by Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education

Both Jeonnam and Gyeongbuk are facing the dual challenges of population extinction risk and regional disparities, but they shared the perception that the government's policy of reducing the number of teachers does not sufficiently reflect the realities of these regions. Accordingly, the two offices plan to jointly call on the government to completely reconsider the teacher quota reduction policy and to urge the introduction of teacher supply measures that take local conditions into account, such as the implementation of a 'basic teacher quota system.'

In addition, regarding the improvement of the new teacher recruitment system, they agreed to cooperate in establishing institutional foundations, such as introducing a 'special local talent selection system.' By hiring a certain proportion of outstanding local talent, they aim to increase the retention rate in the education field and encourage long-term service.

Kim Daejung, Superintendent of Jeonnam Office of Education, and Im Jong-sik, Superintendent of Gyeongbuk Office of Education, agreed at the council that it is urgent to implement practical measures to resolve the imbalance in teacher supply and demand and to ensure stable operation of the education field. They also agreed to establish a joint response system going forward.

Superintendent Kim stated, "Jeonnam and Gyeongbuk face similar challenges under comparable educational conditions. Both offices of education must work together to find solutions to structural issues such as teacher quota reductions and the recruitment system."

Superintendent Im also said, "Improving the educational environment of small schools and realizing future education policies are important tasks that Yeonghonam faces together. I will engage in in-depth discussions with the Jeonnam Office of Education to devise effective measures."