Ministry of Education Forms 'Local Education Finance System Improvement Task Force'

Start of Social Discussion on Local Education Finance Management Direction
Seeking Financial Efficiency Measures Supporting the Education System

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Education has formed the 'Local Education Finance System Improvement Task Force,' composed of parents and experts, to respond to demands for reducing local education finance grants due to the decline in the school-age population.

On the 24th, the Ministry of Education will hold the '1st Local Education Finance System Improvement Task Force Meeting' at Sejong City Osong Hotel in Cheongju, Chungbuk, initiating social discussions on the direction of local education finance management.

The task force organized by the Ministry of Education is led by Deputy Minister Jeong Jong-cheol and consists of about 20 members, including representatives from metropolitan and provincial offices of education, the National Association of Metropolitan and Provincial Superintendents of Education, academic experts in education finance, economics, and public administration, as well as representatives from teacher and parent organizations.

Regarding local education finance grants, there are conflicting claims: some argue that despite increased financial demand due to the decline in the school-age population and the rising proportion of elderly population, local education finance has surplus funds; others contend that budget cuts worsen educational conditions and that investment demand for future education remains high.

In response, the Ministry of Education plans to operate the task force to diagnose various issues surrounding local education finance and promote social discussions through policy research, forums, and collecting field opinions, while also consulting with related ministries and metropolitan and provincial offices of education.

The Ministry aims to enhance the quality of education and the efficiency of local education finance by strengthening coordination and cooperation between education offices and local governments, and by seeking financial management plans that support collaboration across existing fields such as early childhood, elementary, and secondary education, as well as higher, lifelong, and vocational education.

On this day, the Ministry will hold a forum with experts participating. Professors Song Ki-chang of Sookmyung Women's University, Yoon Hong-ju of Chuncheon National University of Education, Ha Bong-woon of Kyonggi University, and Lee Seon-ho, Director of the Education Finance Research Office at the Korea Educational Development Institute, will present issues, future tasks, and funding securing plans.

Deputy Minister Jeong Jong-cheol said, "The decline in the school-age population is an immediate reality, but the role of each student who will lead the future of our country becomes even more important. Therefore, we must nurture innovative talents for the 4th Industrial Revolution era through stable securing of education finance."

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