Busan Office of Education to Launch Four Major Initiatives... Announces Busan Education Operation Plan

Human-Centered AI Education,
Customized Learning, Safe Education, and Civic Education...
Strengthening the Competitiveness of Public Education

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education will actively pursue four major priority initiatives in 2026 to respond to changes in the digital and artificial intelligence environment and to enhance the quality of public education.

On the morning of January 6, the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education held a New Year press conference at the international conference room of its annex building, where it presented its core initiatives: human-centered future education leading the AI era; customized education that nurtures both academic ability and emotional well-being; safe education that protects both teachers and students; and civic education that fosters wise and talented citizens.

Superintendent Kim Seokjun stated, "For the past nine months since taking office, I have devoted myself to normalizing education in Busan," adding, "We have demonstrated the strength of Busan’s education system by achieving Grade 2 in the comprehensive integrity assessment for public institutions and being selected as the top-performing office of education in the Ministry of Education's evaluation." He emphasized, "2026 will be a turning point for fully implementing people-centered future education."

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education will first promote 'human-centered future education' that combines AI utilization capabilities with humanities, arts, and physical education. Based on innovation in digital and AI-based teaching and learning, the office will establish the 'Busan Future School' model and expand the distribution of the AI tutor 'BeAT' to schools. Guidelines for the use of generative AI and AI ethics education will also be strengthened.

To enhance students' creative and critical thinking skills, the number of International Baccalaureate (IB) research schools will be expanded to 16, and inquiry-based lesson and assessment models will be generalized. Humanities, arts, and physical education will also be expanded through the 'Chaekyeolmae' reading platform, the 'One School, One Arts Club' initiative, and the 'One Student, One Sports Activity' program.

Customized education that supports both basic academic skills and emotional development will also be strengthened. Elementary schools will run programs to improve literacy and numeracy, while middle schools will implement the 'Gomgomi Project' to enhance self-directed learning skills. High schools will reinforce advanced learning and strengthen connections to career and college pathways. A new 'Onda Program' based on teacher mentoring will be introduced for students from low-income families.

To support students’ mental health, the social-emotional education program 'Project B30' will be implemented, and an integrated support system will provide comprehensive assistance in learning, emotional well-being, and welfare. In the area of career and college guidance, the 'Busan Career and College Counseling Center' and the AI-based 'Jinhak PEN AI' will be further developed to expand personalized counseling services.

Safe education to protect teachers' rights and student safety is also a key initiative. The one-stop system for protecting teachers' rights will be strengthened, and the Education Activity Protection Center will provide support for legal and civil complaint responses. To reduce teachers' workloads, the AI assistant 'PenGPT' will be further developed, and a pilot program will be launched to support transportation for high school students commuting long distances.

In the area of civic education, the office will foster community capabilities by linking democratic citizenship, history, maritime, environmental, and global education. Experiential history and constitutional education will be expanded, along with maritime education reflecting Busan’s status as a maritime city. Educational programs commemorating the 150th anniversary of the opening of Busan Port will also be implemented.

In addition, the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education plans to fully implement free education at private kindergartens, thereby completing a free education system from kindergarten through high school.

Superintendent Kim Seokjun stated, "Even in the AI era, people remain at the center of education," adding, "We will work together with citizens to create an education system in Busan where students are happy and teachers are respected."