Busan Office of Education Accelerates Efforts to Alleviate Overcrowded Classes in Jeonggwan Area

Promotion of Modular Classrooms, New School Establishments, and School Relocations

Busan Metropolitan Office of Education will concentrate administrative and financial resources to alleviate overcrowded classes in schools in the Jeonggwan area and promote balanced educational development.

The Busan Office of Education is implementing various policies to resolve the long-standing issue of overcrowded classes in the Jeonggwan area.

In elementary schools, overcrowding was reduced by 17 classes compared to last year through the installation of modular classrooms and the operation of the ‘Small School Free School Zone’ in the Jeonggwan area. After 2025, it is expected that overcrowding will naturally ease due to a decrease in the number of incoming students.

The ‘Small School Free School Zone’ operating in the rural agricultural and fishing areas of Gijang-gun is a policy that adjusts school districts to activate small schools by allowing students from ‘large schools’ to enroll in ‘small schools’ without changing their address.

For new students only, students from six large schools including Gadong Elementary School can transfer to four small schools such as Jangan Elementary School without changing their address. Those who wish to do so must submit a request form to change the school to the school they plan to attend and enroll after approval by the principal.

A satisfaction survey on the operation of the ‘Small School Free School Zone’ in the first half of the 2023 academic year showed that most school members were satisfied, with 97% of students, 93% of parents, and 72% of staff expressing satisfaction.

Busan Office of Education.

For middle schools, the establishment of the (tentatively named) Jeonggwan 2 Middle School, with 15 classes, is being promoted with the goal of opening in 2027. Until this school is established, overcrowded classes will be alleviated by adding three classes at Sinjeong Middle School in 2024, two classes at Jeonggwan Middle School in 2025, and prioritizing student placement at Jangan Middle School.

For high schools expected to have overcrowded classes until 2032, students will be distributed by expanding nine classes each at Sinjeong High School and Jeonggwan High School, and six classes at Jangan Jeil High School.

Additionally, to cultivate industrial talent in Gijang-gun in 2025, the relocation and establishment of Gyesung Girls’ High School is being pursued, and for balanced educational development in Gijang-gun in 2027, the relocation of Busan Jangan High School to Ilgwang New Town is planned.

According to the relocation plan, Busan Jangan High School will support up to 3 million KRW per student annually for operating costs of educational enhancement programs until the relocation is completed. Furthermore, about 5.6 billion KRW will be invested by the 2026 academic year to ensure there is no disruption to the school curriculum.

After relocation, efforts will be made to develop it into a prestigious school by constructing dormitories and operating an IB research school, while nearby Jangan Jeil High School will also be developed into an excellent school by improving admission procedures and the educational environment.

Ha Yoon-su, Superintendent of Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, said, “We will continue to address local educational issues by reflecting the diverse demands of schools and parents in the Jeonggwan area,” and added, “Our office will focus administrative power and budget on balanced educational development so that education in Busan is not concentrated in any one area.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.