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South Korean local education funding reform protests

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2026-10-02 12:34 UTC → 2026-10-07 03:25 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Tensions have escalated regarding the South Korean government’s proposal to reform the local education fiscal grant system. The Ministry of Education intends to move away from the current method of linking grants to 20.79% of domestic tax revenue, instead proposing a formula incorporating economic growth rates and changes in the school-age population. While the Association of Presidents of National and Public Universities supports the reform to prevent ‘regional extinction’ by redistributing funds to higher education and strategic industries, other stakeholders have intensified their opposition. The Korea Association of Superintendents of Education has warned that the 2027 budget was approved without sufficient consultation, potentially jeopardizing digital infrastructure and basic academic support. ~~In response to these concerns, seven~~ Seven provincial ~~superintendents of education,~~ superintendents, led by Kwon Soon-ki, chairperson of the Special Committee on Local Education Finance, met with Democratic Party representative Kim Min-seok to urge a review of the reforms and the proposed ‘future response fund.’ The superintendents argued that funding should not be reduced solely based on declining student populations, noting that rising financial demands exist for AI and digital education transitions, childcare expansion, and aging facility improvements. They raised technical concerns regarding the 35% school-age population change rate and requested that the legal use of the future response fund be clearly defined to include primary and secondary education to prevent funds from being diverted. Kim Min-seok pledged to hold discussions within the National Assembly to find alternatives, noting that more funding may be required for talent cultivation despite shrinking student numbers.

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