South Korea faces special education shortage as student numbers surge

South Korea is facing a significant shortage of special education infrastructure as the number of students requiring special education has increased by over 20,000 in the last four years. While the student population rose from approximately 103,695 in 2022 to 124,195 this year, the number of special education schools nationwide increased by only seven, growing from 192 to 199.

This gap has led to widespread overcrowding. More than 1,500 special education classes nationwide have exceeded the legal student limits set by the Special Education Act for Persons with Disabilities. The shortage is particularly acute in Gyeonggi Province, which accounts for nearly half of the nation's overcrowded special education classes.

Experts and educators emphasize that the burden of this shortage falls heavily on special education teachers, who must manage diverse needs including academic instruction, behavioral intervention, and daily life support. Calls for reform include establishing small-scale special schools in local communities, expanding collaborative teaching models between general and special education teachers, and providing better legal and administrative protections for educators handling behavioral issues.