Statement Issued by Superintendent Chung Keunsik on the 19th
Official Request for Reconsideration of Teacher Reduction Plan
"Continued Large-Scale Cuts Will Devastate School Educational Activities"
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has officially requested the Ministry of Education to reconsider its plan to reduce the number of teachers at elementary and secondary schools in Seoul. While the government is cutting teacher positions in line with the declining school-age population, there are concerns in the field that a mechanical reduction in teaching staff based solely on the decrease in student numbers could lead to a decline in the quality of school education, especially as demand for various educational programs such as AI education and the high school credit system is increasing.
On the 19th, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education released a statement under the name of Superintendent Chung Keunsik, expressing "strong regret and concern" over the Ministry's preliminary notification of the 2026 allocation of elementary and secondary school teacher positions.
The office stated, "We have repeatedly conveyed the unique circumstances of Seoul and the voices from the field to the Ministry of Education, calling for an adjustment in the standards used to calculate teacher allocations. However, these requests were not reflected, and as a result, the quality of education in Seoul is now under threat."
The statement continued, "It is clear that the previous administration mechanically reduced the number of teachers based on the simplistic logic that a decrease in student numbers should automatically mean a reduction in teaching staff. This is a clear and direct harm inflicted on all members of the educational community, including students, parents, and the teachers who are dedicated to supporting education on the ground."
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, over the past five years, the total number of teachers nationwide has been reduced by an average of 1.1%, while the reduction rate in Seoul was higher, at an average of 2.6%.
The Ministry of Education recently notified the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education that the preliminary allocation of teacher positions for next year in Seoul will also be lower than this year.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education stated, "If this large-scale reduction trend continues, school educational activities will essentially be devastated," and requested that the reduction rate for elementary school teachers be lowered to 1.7% and that the number of secondary school teachers be frozen.
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