Mokpo's Limited Joint School District System Criticized for Uneven Enrollment: "96% of Transfer Students Concentrated in 3 Schools"

Assemblyman Kim Jinnam Probes Education Issues in Mokpo, Muan and Other Areas

At an administrative audit held on November 10 of nine Jeonnam education support offices, Assemblyman Kim Jinnam (Democratic Party of Korea, Suncheon), a member of the Education Committee of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Council, reviewed how key local education policies were being implemented and discussed ways to improve them with the education support offices in Mokpo, Muan, Yeongam, and Haenam.

First, during questioning of the Mokpo Education Support Office, the discussion focused on the concentration of students under the "limited joint school district system." Assemblyman Kim pointed out, "Of the 159 students who transferred to small schools, 96% were concentrated in just three elementary schools, while the other six schools had no new students at all. There has also been no clear reduction in the number of classes at already overcrowded schools."

Kim Jinnam, a member of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Council.

Mokpo Superintendent of Education Park Jaehyeon explained, "At the schools that gained students, the use of financial support to provide distinctive curricula increased their appeal to parents," adding that various factors, including commuting conditions, had played a role.

Assemblyman Kim called for balanced support measures for schools that had attracted no new students, as well as systematic statistical management of transfer students' retention rates and actual changes in student numbers at overcrowded schools.

At the audit of the Muan Education Support Office, the accuracy of the materials submitted for the administrative audit was reviewed. Regarding the use of the closed Muan Haejedong Elementary School, Assemblyman Kim noted, "The previous year's audit follow-up report marked the matter as 'completed (planned for in-house use),' but in fact, the office is once again pursuing a sale," pointing out the discrepancy between the submitted report and the actual administrative actions.

Muan Superintendent of Education Im Doseon replied, "We issued a notice of sale, but there were no applicants, so we are going through the process again. We will correct the error in the submitted materials and update the report." Assemblyman Kim urged the office to establish an accurate reporting system to maintain trust between the council and the education office.

During questioning of the Yeongam Education Support Office, measures to prevent gaps in the local childcare system were discussed. In response to Assemblyman Kim's question about why the evening childcare program at Yeongam Neulbom Dream Center was not operating, Yeongam Superintendent of Education Moon Taehong said, "Students in the area use a local children's center operated by a nearby company, so demand for evening childcare is low. The remaining budget is being used for programs such as Saturday childcare."

Assemblyman Kim requested, "Please ensure that the children of parents who do not work for the company are not restricted from using the center. Even if the facility is not directly operated by the education office, local students spend time there, so please continue to monitor its safety and operations."

Finally, at the Haenam Education Support Office, Assemblyman Kim reviewed the allocation of the Education Development Special Zone budget and preparations for the upcoming College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). He noted, "Around 277 million won of the budget related to the Education Development Special Zone appears to be somewhat concentrated in the 'visits to advanced regions' item," and called for balanced spending in line with the program's original purpose, including support for employment.

Haenam Superintendent of Education Jo Hyunju explained that the budget consisted of funds provided by the local government, visits to science museums by gifted students, and grants for distinctive curricula at small schools.

Assemblyman Kim then reviewed preparations for the CSAT by the Haenam Education Office, which oversees four areas (Jangheung, Gangjin, Haenam, and Wando). After Superintendent Jo replied, "We have completed several on-site inspections of facilities, including the sound systems for the listening test," Assemblyman Kim commended the thorough preparations and urged the office to remain fully prepared through the end to ensure the smooth administration of the exam on test day.

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