South Korean educators protest local education grant reform

The South Korean government has announced a major reform to the local education financial grant system, proposing to abolish the 55-year-old practice of linking grants to 20.79% of national tax revenue. Under the new plan, the grant amount will be calculated based on the previous year's total, adjusted by the average economic growth rate and the rate of change in the school-age population over the last three years.

This shift aims to address the mismatch between rising tax revenues and a declining school-age population due to low birth rates. The government intends to redirect the surplus funds into a ‘Future Response Fund’ to support early childhood education, higher education, and lifelong learning. Projections suggest the total grant could decrease from approximately 100 trillion won to 78.9 trillion won by 2027.

However, the proposal has met fierce opposition from regional superintendents and educational organizations. Critics, including the Korea Association of Superintendents of Education, argue that the reform threatens the stability of primary and secondary education. They contend that even as student numbers decline, fixed costs such as personnel, facility maintenance, and new digital education requirements remain high. Opponents are calling for the maintenance of the current tax-linked system and the establishment of a formal consultative body to ensure educational stakeholders are included in the decision-making process.