National superintendents gathered for an urgent meeting to address proposed changes to the local education funding system. They expressed strong concerns over the government's plan to eliminate the current tax-linked funding model in favor of one based on economic growth rates.
The Korean Association of Superintendents, led by President Jeong Geun-sik, held a Zoom meeting on the morning of August 19 to discuss the funding reform.
In his opening remarks, Jeong stated, "Discussions are underway to change the calculation method for local education funding from the current tax linkage model to one that reflects economic growth rates and changes in school-age population."
Jeong criticized the procedural issues surrounding the proposed changes, saying, "Despite the significant discussions about altering the fundamental framework of the system, the process of gathering and incorporating the opinions of local education authorities, which are directly responsible for education finances, has been severely lacking."
On August 18, Jeong emphasized during a press conference that switching to an economic growth rate model would lead to a significant reduction in essential educational funding due to rising personnel costs, reiterating the need to maintain the current tax linkage rate of 20.79%.
The superintendents' association has consistently voiced concerns regarding the funding reform. Following a meeting of newly elected officials on June 15 and an urgent meeting on July 10, they issued a joint statement. On July 29, they held a public forum to discuss the potential negative impacts of the proposed changes.
They have also engaged in direct persuasion efforts with government officials. On August 12, Jeong and Incheon Superintendent Do Seong-hoon met with Education Minister Kim Kyo-jin to advocate for the maintenance of the current system. On August 15, during the Liberation Day events, Daegu Superintendent Kang Eun-hee reiterated the same position in a conversation with Park Hong-geun, Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination.
During the meeting, strategies for collaboration with education-related civil society organizations were also discussed. Recently, over 350 educational organizations have been protesting against the funding reform and have proposed joint action with the superintendents' association.
Jeong presented five key agenda items for open discussion among the 16 superintendents: the association's stance on the government's reform plan and approach, measures to ensure financial stability including the maintenance of the tax linkage model, communication strategies with the government and National Assembly, the scope of collaboration with educational organizations, and the timing for announcing a unified position from the association.
Jeong concluded, "The issue of local education funding is not just a concern for one local education authority; it is a matter of the stability of education in our country and the foundation of educational autonomy. I hope a reasonable response can be established to support our children's education reliably."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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