South Korean regional educational innovation efforts

Local governments in South Korea are developing regional educational innovation policies to address declining student populations. In Haenam, public discussions regarding the ‘Haenam-style Educational Innovation Leading Region’ project highlighted a preference for prioritizing educational quality and teacher support over administrative school consolidation.

In Yeoncheon County, officials have moved toward leveraging the strengths of small schools through customized learning and community links. This has evolved into a strategic vision by Superintendent Lee Moon-gu, who aims to implement a ‘wall-breaking educational cooperation’ model. This model seeks to integrate schools with local governments, universities, and community institutions through joint curricula and enhanced student mobility.

Similarly, in Seogwipo, Superintendent Gang Ji-seon has outlined a vision to create a community-wide educational ecosystem. Key priorities include student safety, emotional support, and the implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program across all public schools to drive innovation.