Gwangju Teacher Recruitment Cut by 33%... "Minimum Quota Maintained for Years"

44 New Kindergarten and Elementary Teachers to Be Hired Next Year, Down by 22
Last Year's Increase Attributed to Neulbom School Researcher Positions
Local Quotas Also Restricted Amid Ministry of Education's Reduction Policy

The number of kindergarten and elementary school teachers to be hired in Gwangju next year will be reduced by one-third compared to this year. Amid the Ministry of Education's ongoing policy of reducing teacher quotas due to the declining school-age population, Gwangju has maintained only the minimum quota for several years, failing to ease the pressure on the field.

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On September 10, the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education announced on its website the implementation plan for the 2026 public kindergarten, elementary school, and special school (kindergarten and elementary) teacher recruitment examination, which will select 44 candidates. The breakdown is 6 for kindergartens, 30 for elementary schools, 3 for special kindergartens, and 5 for special elementary schools. This is a decrease of 22 (33%) from last year's 66 positions.

Applicants must hold a relevant teaching certificate or be scheduled to obtain one by the end of February 2026. Applications will be accepted online through the teacher recruitment system from September 22 to 26.

The first round of the exam, scheduled for November 8, will consist of a teaching essay (essay format) and curriculum (short-answer and descriptive) tests. The second round, to be held January 7-9 next year, will include an in-depth teaching aptitude interview, a teaching demonstration and interview, as well as an English teaching demonstration and interview. The results of the first round will be announced on December 10, and the final successful candidates will be announced on January 28 next year.

An official from the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education told our newspaper on September 11, "The number of new elementary teacher positions in Gwangju has been maintained at the minimum level of five for several years." The official added, "The reason last year's recruitment numbers seemed high is not because the actual quota increased, but because positions for dedicated researchers at Neulbom Schools were counted separately." The official continued, "The teacher quota is part of the national civil servant quota, and since the Ministry of Education is reducing it by about 100 positions each year, it is difficult for the Office of Education to increase it independently. However, there is a strong need to expand the quota in schools, so we are continuing discussions with the Ministry of Education."

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