Increase in 'Small-Scale Schools' as Seoul's School-Age Population Declines... 8% to 14% in Five Years

Small-Scale Schools Increase from 101 to 185 in Five Years
Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Launches Fourth Phase of "Seoul-Type Small School" Program
Expansion from 8 to 12 Elementary Schools, Pilot Program to Include Middle School

As the school-age population in Seoul declines, approximately 14% of elementary, middle, and high schools have become small-scale schools. The decrease in the number of students is no longer limited to specific areas but is spreading throughout Seoul, resulting in a rapid increase in the number of "small schools."

In Seoul, elementary schools with 240 or fewer students and middle and high schools with 300 or fewer students are classified as "small-scale schools." In response to these changes, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education plans to provide stable support for small-scale schools and expand the operation of "Seoul-style small schools," which highlight the unique characteristics of each school.

According to the Office of Education on December 9, there are 185 small-scale schools in Seoul this year out of a total of 1,311 elementary, middle, and high schools. By school type, there are 85 elementary schools, 74 middle schools, and 26 high schools.

The number of small-scale schools has increased by 84 over the past five years, from 2021 to April 1 of this year. The total rose from 101 in 2021, to 114 in 2022, 153 in 2023, and 170 in 2024, showing a steady annual increase.

The proportion of small-scale schools compared to the total number of schools is also steadily rising. The share of small-scale schools grew from 8% in 2021, to 9% in 2022, 12% in 2023, and 13% in 2024. Amid the declining school-age population, small-scale schools are becoming a structural phenomenon.

The Office of Education has decided to expand the operation of "Seoul-style small schools" to provide stable support for the increasing number of small-scale schools and to spread the small school model within the city center.

The "Seoul-style small school" policy was launched in the 2017 academic year and focuses on providing targeted support for "education, cultural arts, and welfare programs" tailored to each school's unique characteristics. The goal is to enhance the educational competitiveness of schools facing difficulties due to declining student numbers and help them maintain an appropriate scale.

Three phases have been implemented so far, and the fourth phase, which will run from next year through 2028, will expand the number of participating schools. The number of elementary schools will increase from eight to twelve, and one middle school will be included in the pilot program.

The fourth phase of the Seoul-style small school initiative will provide step-by-step support in human resources, finance, and administration over three years. Human resource support will include preferential placement of sports instructors, recruitment of desired teachers starting from the second year, and additional points for teachers who contribute to designated research schools. Each school will receive an annual budget of 20 million won for operating specialized curricula, along with customized consulting and administrative support such as allowing elementary students from outside the designated school district to enroll or transfer.

Superintendent Jeong Geunsik stated, "In January, an ordinance was enacted to support the balance between operating Seoul-style small schools and fostering appropriately sized schools. Moving forward, we will continue to support small-scale schools through the Seoul-style small school policy, so that they can grow into appropriately sized schools that satisfy students, parents, and teachers in cooperation with the local community."

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