Gyeongnam Provincial Council Member Simsangdong: "Flexible Management Needed According to Education Finance Budget Situation"

Simsangdong, Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly member. [Image source=Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Assembly member Sim Sang-dong raised the need for flexible management of the education finance budget due to the annual increase in education tax revenue.

On the 6th, during the policy inquiry on the 2nd supplementary budget review by the Budget and Accounts Committee overseeing the Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education at the Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly, Assemblyman Sim stated, "The education finance grant, which has been allocated at an unprecedented level in this supplementary budget, should be largely assigned to projects aimed at recovering learning, emotional, and social deficits caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic."

He continued, "However, out of the supplementary budget of 5.9983 trillion won, 58.1% or 3.4842 trillion won is allocated to personnel expenses, 652.2 billion won (28.7%) to facility project costs, and 395.9 billion won (6.6%) to operating expenses, making most of the budget inflexible in its operation," pointing out the problem.

He also emphasized that although the budget for strengthening the capabilities of specialized high schools has been increasing annually, the employment rate is declining, which indicates a mismatch between field demand and the education office's supply.

Assemblyman Sim said, "Considering Gyeongnam's manufacturing-based environment, it is necessary to identify the demand for new regional growth industries such as Sacheon aviation, Miryang nano, and mobility, and to provide diversified career guidance and vocational education."

Finally, he said, "I believe education is an investment in the future. As a member of the Budget and Accounts Committee for one year, I will strive to ensure that the education finance budget is used valuably where it is truly needed."

Meanwhile, the Budget and Accounts Special Committee overseeing the Office of Education at the Provincial Assembly amended and approved the supplementary budget of 5.9983 trillion won on the 6th, and the final decision will be made at the plenary session on the 17th.

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