"No Teachers, No Money"...Superintendent Kim Daejung Voices Sharp Criticism Over Passage of Integration Act

Local Tax Rate Adjustment a Direct Hit to Honam Education Finances
"Lack of Central Government Commitment Has Set Back Educational Autonomy"

Kim Daejung, Superintendent of Education of Jeonnam, welcomed the passage of the "Special Act on the Establishment of an Integrated Metropolitan City of Jeonnam and Gwangju" by the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee, but expressed deep regret that key elements of educational integration, namely special financial provisions and the transfer of authority, were omitted, saying that the bill "has retreated significantly from the original draft."

On the 13th, Superintendent Kim stated on his Facebook page, "The integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju is highly meaningful in that it responds to the historic task of overcoming the capital-area-centered unipolar structure and addressing the crisis of regional extinction, so the passage in the standing committee is by no means a light matter," adding, "I welcome the fact that the 40-year-long wish of local residents is finally being fulfilled."

Kim Daejung, Superintendent of Education of South Jeolla Province

However, Superintendent Kim pointed out that "during the review process of the bill, due to the central government’s passive response and lack of commitment, many aspects of educational autonomy were significantly weakened compared with the original draft."

In fact, the current bill excludes a large number of provisions that are essential for the development of local education, including: special provisions for the stable securing of education finances, special provisions for securing additional teacher positions, and special provisions related to foreign students.

Superintendent Kim stressed, "In order for the integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju to lead to an improvement in the quality of education and the nurturing of local talent, core special provisions in the field of education are absolutely necessary," and urged, "In the upcoming review by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the omitted special provisions must be restored."

In the education community, some analyses have suggested that if the integration act is implemented without financial safeguards, it could inflict serious damage on local education finances.

According to data from the Council of Education Superintendents of the Republic of Korea, the current Administrative Integration Special Act includes a special provision that allows local tax rates to be adjusted within a range of ±100%. The problem is that "local education tax," which is a core funding source for education finances, is linked to this adjustable tax base.

The council estimated that if local tax rates were reduced by 100%, the nationwide transfer of education funds would decrease by a total of 1.857 trillion won. In particular, in the case of Gwangju and Jeonnam, it projected that approximately 542.3 billion won in finances would evaporate, making it inevitable to cut back on school operating expenses, basic academic achievement support, and education welfare programs.

In response, the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education plans to make every effort to ensure that essential provisions for educational autonomy are reflected during the subsequent deliberations by the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the plenary session.

Superintendent Kim said, "Jeonnam Office of Education and I will work closely with the relevant institutions so that the essential provisions for educational autonomy can be fully reflected in the special act," adding, "We will join forces with local National Assembly members, the education community, and civil society."

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