Efforts to Close the Education Gap in Busan: Diversifying Programs and Supporting Learning Spaces

A recent survey conducted in Busan, South Korea, reveals varying rates of private Hagwon(private educational institute or school) usage and study habits among elementary and middle school students across different districts of the city. The Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education has interpreted these findings as a sign that students in the western districts rely more on public education and spend less time studying than their peers in the central and eastern districts.

In response, the Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education is working to close the educational gap by promoting Busan-type online lectures and supporting the establishment of café-style learning spaces in the original city center and West Busan area. The online lectures, covering Korean, English, and math, will be available to students starting from the second semester of this year, with differentiated lecture lengths according to student levels.

Additionally, the office plans to support the creation of one-person learning spaces or café-style learning spaces, depending on the school's preferences, and build a system for simultaneous learning and life management. Initially, these spaces will be constructed in high schools this year and expanded to middle schools next year.

Future plans include renovating schools older than 40 years and supporting environmental improvement and education enhancement programs for schools less than 40 years old. To help schools secure excellent staff, preferential policies such as expanding regional points, granting incentives to remote workers, and increasing participation in overseas voluntary training will be implemented. The city education office aims to submit a supplemental budget proposal reflecting a budget of 730 billion won to the Busan City Council soon.

Busan City Superintendent of Education Ha Yun-soo stated, "We will meticulously promote effective education opportunity guarantee policies to eliminate the gap in overall education, including academic qualifications."