Jeon Nam-do Assemblyman Shin Min-ho Questions 64% of Education Budget Spent on Personnel Expenses

Shin Min-ho, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Shin Min-ho, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member (Democratic Party, Suncheon 6), pointed out that the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education allocated most of next year’s budget to personnel expenses and strongly demanded an efficient reorganization of workforce management.

According to Assemblyman Shin Min-ho on the 14th, the number of students in Jeonnam (including public and private elementary, middle, and high schools) decreased by 13,730 from 220,410 in 2018 to 206,680 this year. Meanwhile, the number of teachers increased by 576, administrative staff by 231, and educational public officials by 1,064, resulting in an overall increase of 1,871 education workers.

The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education submitted next year’s budget at 3.6463 trillion won, which is 227 billion won less than this year. While the general grant decreased, current expenditures such as personnel costs continued to rise, and new spending demands arose due to COVID-19 related quarantine measures.

In reviewing the special education account budget for next year, Assemblyman Shin Min-ho urged, “While the number of students in Jeonnam is steadily decreasing, the number of education workers is increasing, so an efficient reorganization of workforce management is necessary to maintain financial soundness.”

He added, “Looking at the student trend, it is predicted that 12,852 students will decrease over the next five years. Since regions with declining populations also experience reduced grants, Jeonnam is facing a red light situation, yet the personnel expenses are budgeted at 2.3307 trillion won, approaching 64% of the total budget.”

He further criticized, “The Ministry of Education set the personnel expense ceiling for Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education at 2.2979 trillion won, but Jeonnam’s office over-budgeted by 32.8 billion won to 2.3307 trillion won for next year. If fixed expenditures increase and direct education expenses decrease, educational activities will inevitably be constrained.”

Assemblyman Shin said, “To secure resources for the revenue shortfall caused by the decrease in general grants and to maintain financial soundness, a comprehensive review and mid- to long-term plan for managing Jeonnam’s educational workforce must be established to allocate personnel efficiently.” He urged, “Despite difficult financial conditions, I hope Jeonnam education will proactively respond and successfully navigate the New Normal era.”

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