Students Return to Gwangju Vocational High Schools... All Schools Exceed Enrollment Quotas

2,375 Applicants for 1,794 Spots Next Year
Competition Rate Rises to 1.32 to 1... Impact of Gwangju Technical High School and Songwon Girls' Commercial High School Reorganization

Vocational high schools in Gwangju are expanding their foundations for nurturing future industry talent, resulting in a continued rise in admission competition rates.

Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education.

According to the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education on November 28, a total of 2,375 students applied for 1,794 available spots at 12 vocational high schools in Gwangju for the 2026 academic year, as of the application deadline the previous day. This results in an average competition rate of 1.32 to 1, an increase from last year's 1.27 to 1. All 12 schools have exceeded their recruitment quotas for two consecutive years.

By school, Gwangju Automation Equipment Meister High School recorded a competition rate of 2.18 to 1, Gwangju Software Meister High School 1.65 to 1, Gwangju Natural Science High School 1.59 to 1, and Jeonnam Technical High School 1.44 to 1.

The Gwangju Office of Education explained that the designation of Gwangju-type Meister High Schools and the establishment of new departments in emerging industries contributed to the increase in competition rates.

Gwangju Technical High School had only 62.3% of its quota filled for the 2024 academic year, but after being designated as a Gwangju-type Meister High School, its competition rate improved to 1.15 to 1 for 2025 and 1.18 to 1 for 2026. The Office of Education cited the adjustment of class sizes to around 18 students per class and the expansion of practice-oriented educational environments as key changes.

Songwon Girls' Commercial High School will change its name to Songwon Future Talent High School starting in the 2026 academic year and has established a new Department of Railway Electricity. The Department of Railway Electricity received applications from 136% of its quota.

The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education also identified the operation of the 'Bitgoeul Vocational Education Innovation District,' vocational experience programs for middle school students through the Vocational Education Support Center, career-linked programs between vocational high schools and middle schools, and field experience and mentoring programs in collaboration with local companies as additional factors contributing to the rise in competition rates.

Superintendent Lee Jeongseon stated, "The results are evident as we have reorganized departments and established new ones to keep pace with industrial changes," adding, "We will continue to support vocational high schools to become the core of local strategic industry talent development by expanding support for Gwangju-type Meister High Schools and deepening the Vocational Education Innovation District project."

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