Joint Education Authority Formation on Track for July Launch
The Ministry of Education is set to hold a ‘Report on the Promotion of Education Administrative System Integration’ on May 5th at the former Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education. This meeting will bring together key figures to review the preparations for the establishment of a unified education authority for the Jeonnam and Gwangju regions.
Key Stakeholders Convene for Progress Assessment
Attendees at the report session are expected to include the Minister of Education, Choi Kyo-jin, along with Kim Dae-jung, the former acting superintendent of the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education and former deputy superintendent of the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education. Officials involved in the integration preparatory task force will also be present.
Since March, the Ministry of Education and both regional education offices have established dedicated task forces and convened seven regular meetings. Through these discussions, detailed plans have been developed across eight key areas, including organization, personnel, finance, and statutes.
Focus on Smooth Transition and Future Direction
The upcoming report session is designed to comprehensively assess the current state of readiness ahead of the official launch of the unified Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City Office of Education (Unified Education Office) in July. Discussions will center on the future direction of the integration process and subsequent measures required for a successful transition.
Key agenda items will include the current status of preparations in areas such as organizational structure, information systems, and statutory regulations, as well as the overall timeline for integration.
Organizational and Systemic Preparations Underway
From an organizational standpoint, the Ministry of Education is working on establishing legal grounds to allow for the temporary operation of two additional divisions beyond the current legal framework. This measure is intended to address the anticipated increase in administrative demand during the initial phase of integration.
The two education offices plan to finalize follow-up measures by mid-May, including the establishment of a planning department and amendments to statutes for six divisions.
Regarding information systems, the focus is on ensuring stable service provision and the continuity of administrative operations throughout the integration process. The National Information Service (NIS) and K-EduFine systems will continue to operate separately by education office at the time of launch. However, students and parents will be able to access unified, nationwide services.
The Ministry of Education has allocated approximately 27 billion won in special subsidies to cover system adjustments and development costs.
Minister Affirms Commitment to Successful Integration
Minister Choi Kyo-jin emphasized the significance of the unified education authority’s launch, stating, “The establishment of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City Office of Education will be a crucial turning point for achieving balanced national growth through ‘Five-Point, Three-Special’ initiatives and vitalizing educational autonomy.” He added, “We will maintain close communication and cooperation with both education offices and provide our utmost support to ensure a successful launch.”
