Gwangju Public Elementary Schools to See 95 Fewer Classes This Year... Average Class Size Down by 0.6 Students

3,489 General Classes and 177 Special Classes
12 Korean Language Classes Established at Multicultural Elementary Schools

Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education building.

The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education announced on January 20 that it has completed class assignments for 67,260 elementary school students at public elementary schools.

For the 2026 academic year, a total of 151 public elementary schools have been assigned, with 3,678 classes in total. This is a decrease of 95 classes compared to the previous year.

By class type, there are 3,489 general classes and 177 special classes. In elementary schools with a high concentration of multicultural students, 12 Korean language classes have been established.

This year, the average number of students per class is 19.3, a decrease of 0.6 students from last year. To improve educational conditions, the Office of Education has gradually reduced the number of students per class, applying an upper limit of 20.4 students for grades 1 to 4 and 24.7 students for grades 5 and 6 as the assignment standard for each grade.

Additionally, for multicultural student-concentrated schools such as Hanam Jungang Elementary School, Daeban Elementary School, and Wolgok Elementary School, the class size standard was relaxed to 20 students for all grades 1 to 6. For Yeongcheon Elementary School and Eodeung Elementary School, the standard was set at 20.4 students for grades 1 to 4 and 22 students for grades 5 and 6. Furthermore, separate Korean language classes were assigned: three at Hanam Jungang Elementary School, four at Daeban Elementary School, three at Wolgok Elementary School, one at Yeongcheon Elementary School, and one at Eodeung Elementary School.

Superintendent Lee Jeongseon stated, "By gradually reducing the number of students per class, taking into account trends in student numbers and teacher supply, we aim to enhance the quality of education," adding, "To respond to the trend of smaller schools, we will establish support measures for appropriately sized schools to ensure stable educational activities."