Yangju City Proposes Key Educational Issues Including Priority Establishment and Separation of Yangju Education Support Office

On December 16, Yangju City submitted key educational issues to the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, including the priority establishment of the Yangju Education Support Office, the creation of a new high school, the adjustment of middle school districts to build an International Baccalaureate (IB) education belt, and improvements to the eligibility criteria for school transportation support.

Yang Suhyun, Mayor of Yangju (right), is presenting key educational issues, including the priority establishment and separation of Yangju Office of Education, to Lim Taehee, Superintendent of Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, on the 16th. Provided by Yangju City

Yangju City explained that, given the rapidly increasing population and educational demand, the current integrated education support office system has limitations in providing region-specific educational administration.

The city also conveyed that, following the recent amendment to the Local Education Autonomy Act, there is a need to establish the Yangju Education Support Office. Yangju City is currently in discussions with the Dongducheon-Yangju Education Support Office regarding the acquisition of a temporary office that could be occupied in the first half of 2026 and proposals for the site of a new office building.

Additionally, the city emphasized that even if Yangju No. 2 High School in the Hoecheon District opens in March 2027, the number of high school students in Yangju will not decrease over the next ten years. In particular, if the planned apartment complex development projects in the Hoecheon and Okjeong districts are completed, the number of students is expected to surge, making the establishment of additional high schools necessary.

Regarding International Baccalaureate (IB) education, the city explained that with Hyochon Elementary School, Nammun Middle School, and Deokjeong High School being selected in succession, it is now possible to establish the only elementary, middle, and high school IB education belt in northern Gyeonggi. However, since middle school districts are operated based on administrative boundaries, there are limitations in linking curricula. The city proposed introducing a "special admissions process for IB curriculum linkage" to ease residential restrictions for students completing the IB program.

Yangju City also pointed out that under the current guidelines of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, support for school transportation is limited to elementary and middle school students within the jurisdiction, excluding high school students. This has led to inconvenience and equity issues in student commutes, prompting a request for improvement. Although higher-level laws and related ordinances designate all elementary, middle, and high school students as eligible for school transportation support, the guidelines from the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education restrict support to only elementary and middle school students, resulting in ongoing inconsistencies between the systems.

A Yangju City official stated, "This proposal was made to communicate key issues related to the educational environment in Yangju City," adding, "We will continue to work with the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education and the Education Support Office to discuss improvements to the educational environment."