As the announcement of revisions to the local education finance grant system approaches, regional education superintendents across the country have reiterated the importance of stable educational finances, arguing that the system linking grants to national taxes must not be abolished.

Jeong Geun-sik, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and President of the National Association of Superintendents of Education, held an emergency video conference with superintendents from 17 cities and provinces at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education today. Speaking to reporters afterward, he stated, "Given that the current 20.79 percent share of national taxes may already be insufficient, the superintendents overall do not agree with abolishing the linkage system."

"We expressed regret over any overhaul of the grant system that lacks a stable guarantee for educational finances," Superintendent Jeong added.

Superintendent Jeong also noted, "There was a shared critical voice regarding the fact that opinions from superintendents, who are responsible for educational administration, were not heard." He added, "Conversations also emerged that we should form an official consultative body at the earliest possible date and request a meeting with President Lee Jae-myung so that the education sector's opinions can be heeded."

Amid a declining school-age population, the Ministry of Planning and Budget is strongly considering abolishing the current system that automatically allocates 20.79 percent of internal national taxes as education grants. Instead, the ministry is reviewing plans to reflect nominal economic growth rates and population declines in calculating the grants.

It is also reported that plans have been drawn up to establish a so-called "Future Response Fund" to accumulate additional tax revenue, which would be utilized mainly for higher, lifelong, and early childhood education rather than elementary and secondary education.

(Photo provided by Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, Yonhap News)