Gyeongbuk Office of Education to Consolidate Four Elementary Schools and Reorganize Kindergarten, Elementary, and Middle School Classes

The Gyeongbuk Office of Education announced on August 21 that it has finalized the reorganization of kindergarten, elementary, and middle school classes for the second semester of the 2025 academic year.

As a result of the class reorganization for the second semester of the 2025 academic year, the total number of classes in kindergartens, elementary, and middle schools will be 10,681, a decrease of 5 classes compared to the first semester. This includes 1,634 kindergarten classes (down by 1), 6,159 elementary school classes (down by 4), and 2,888 middle school classes (no change).

This adjustment is due to the reduction of classes and student transfers resulting from the consolidation and closure of four elementary schools as of September 1 (Wolgok Elementary School Samgye Branch in Andong, Sanbuk Elementary School Changgu Branch in Mungyeong, Danmil Elementary School in Uiseong, and Yongam Elementary School in Seongju). The reduction in classes was implemented in schools where there are no students in certain grades due to these changes.

Gyeongbuk Office of Education

Despite the overall decline in the school-age population, the Gyeongbuk Office of Education, in principle, does not increase or decrease the number of classes during the semester in order to minimize any negative effects caused by class changes in the second semester. However, exceptions are made for schools experiencing a rapid increase in students due to the occupancy of large-scale apartment complexes or for schools with no students due to student transfers, in which case class reorganization is implemented.

In Gyeongbuk, despite challenging circumstances such as the continued decrease in the school-age population due to low birth rates and a reduction in the number of teachers, the unique characteristics of each region are thoroughly reviewed. However, if the number of students is extremely low, making it difficult to operate the curriculum under normal peer relationships, school consolidation and closure are pursued. The consolidation of the four elementary schools this time was carried out following ongoing and smooth consultations, including prior consent from parents and guarantees of educational conditions for students.

Going forward, in order to further minimize such class changes in the second semester, the schedule for school consolidation and closure will be adjusted so that legislative bills are submitted by the end of July each year and reflected in the provincial school establishment ordinance in early October, thereby ensuring smooth class organization at the beginning of the year.

Gyeongbuk Superintendent Lim Jong-sik stated, "Class organization is a crucial process that serves as the basic data for most projects. Above all, while the declining number of students brings many changes to the educational field, we will do our utmost to create educational conditions that guarantee students' right to education, taking various circumstances into consideration."

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