The South Korean Ministry of Education is establishing a new safety net for students facing multiple crises, including basic academic struggles and emotional challenges, starting from the new school year.
The South Korean Ministry of Education announced the establishment of a new safety net aimed at assisting students facing complex crises such as basic academic deficiencies and emotional difficulties, set to begin in the upcoming school year. On March 12, the Ministry unveiled its '2026 Custom Integrated Support System for Students' plan, emphasizing collaboration between schools, education offices, and local communities to provide comprehensive support to at-risk students. The program will start in March and aims to identify and support students encountering challenges like academic underperformance, economic and psychological difficulties, school violence, borderline intellectual functioning, and abuse, integrating various educational and welfare services to address these issues effectively.
To facilitate the implementation of this program, schools are expected to establish discussion procedures led by the principal and reinforced by the vice-principal, involving relevant staff members. Existing committees within schools may also be consolidated to streamline operations. When schools require assistance, they can reach out to centers established by education offices, which will utilize available budgets and specialized personnel to identify and support the students in need. The Ministry is also enhancing local community connections by allocating 241 additional local government employees to the Student Custom Integrated Support Center, ensuring access to resources such as mental health centers and child protection agencies.
Despite the potential benefits, teacher associations have expressed concerns regarding the increased burdens placed on schools, advocating for a postponement of the implementation. The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union released a statement following the Ministry's announcement, urging the creation of specific guidelines to prevent excess responsibilities from being transferred to teachers and calling for additional manpower and budget to manage over 12,000 elementary and secondary schools nationwide. The Education Ministry's commitment to supporting schools and enhancing the community support system will be crucial in ensuring the success of this initiative, navigating the balance between accountability and capacity in the educational sector.
