Superintendent Kim Daejung: "We Will Level the Playing Field and Lead K-Education"
Customized Education Policies for Special-Purpose High Schools and Autonomous Schools Set to Take Off
Expansion of Educational Autonomy... Challenges Remain in Securing Teaching Staff and Educational Funding
The Jeonnam education community collectively expressed its welcome as the “Special Act on the Establishment of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City” passed the National Assembly plenary session on March 1. Forty years after Jeonnam and Gwangju were separated due to Gwangju’s elevation to a directly governed city in 1986, the two regions are now poised to reunite, marking a groundbreaking turning point that is expected to usher in a new era of “educational renaissance.”
On March 2, the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education officially welcomed the passage of the special act by the National Assembly, stating that a robust foundation has now been established for the advancement of educational autonomy that reflects the region’s unique characteristics.
This special act, set to take effect on July 1, 2026, focuses on significantly enhancing the autonomy of the education sector, allowing the integrated metropolitan city’s office of education to design proactive policies tailored to local circumstances. A particularly noteworthy aspect is the establishment of the “Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City Support Committee” under the Prime Minister’s Office.
The provincial education office noted that with the superintendent of the integrated metropolitan city office of education directly participating as a committee member, there is now a foundation to more actively reflect the voices from the field in policy decision-making processes.
It was explained that the direct election of the superintendent and the independent status and authority of educational autonomy are now legally specified. Due to the substantial decentralization of central government powers, the autonomy in managing educational administration will also be greatly expanded. The establishment of educational administrative bodies and the criteria for local government staff numbers can now be set by local ordinances.
The establishment and operation of autonomous schools, science high schools, special-purpose high schools, and foreign education institutions will also be able to proceed flexibly according to local needs. The system to support the training of professionals linked to universities and regional strategic industries is also expected to be further strengthened.
Superintendent Kim Daejung stated, “We must correct the long-standing ‘uneven playing field’ that has challenged us and fully open the renaissance era for education in Jeonnam and Gwangju,” adding, “The unification of Jeonnam and Gwangju lays a valuable foundation for nurturing the values of democracy, human rights, and peace through education.”
He continued, “By actively utilizing the powers specified in the special act, we will make Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City a leading model of ‘K-Education’ in Korea. We will ensure that the expanded powers are carried through to the field via ordinances, so that education can take the lead in fostering local talent.”
However, there are still issues that need to be resolved for the launch of the integrated office of education. While the special act has provided the overall framework, detailed follow-up measures are essential for meaningful educational development.
The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education stated that certain matters, such as special provisions for securing additional teaching staff, stable funding for education, and special provisions for foreign students, were either not included in the act or remain insufficient. Therefore, ongoing improvements and negotiations with the central government will be necessary.
An official from the provincial education office commented, “The enactment of the special act is only the first step toward integration; the real beginning is now. We will work closely with central ministries and local governments until implementation, and ensure practical preparations are carried out smoothly with the integration task force at the center.”
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