Table of Contents
- Closure of Gwaebap Elementary School after 40 years... Decision to merge with Gamjeon Elementary
- Merger process underwent parent information sessions and surveys
- Signs of closure and mergers among elementary schools in Busan
- 151 'small schools'... 25% of all schools in Busan
- Conclusion: A new turning point in local education during the era of declining school-age population
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Closure of Gwaebap Elementary School after 40 years... Decision to merge with Gamjeon Elementary
Located in Sasang-gu, Busan, Gwaebap Elementary School will merge with Gamjeon Elementary School on March 1, 2026, effectively closing its doors at the end of this year.
Founded in 1982, Gwaebap Elementary has served as a central figure in local education for over 40 years, but has faced operational difficulties due to the rapid decline in student numbers as a result of decreasing school-age population.
Ultimately, the decision to merge was made with the support of 65.9% of parents favoring the integration.
According to data from the Northern Education Support Office, the number of students at Gwaebap Elementary School has decreased from 105 in 2015 to 52 in 2024. It is expected that only 9 students will enroll in 2025.
Given this situation, it is explained that the possibility of an increase in student numbers is nearly nonexistent, making the merger unavoidable.
Merger process underwent parent information sessions and surveys
The Northern Education Support Office held an information session for parents last June, detailing the background of the merger, student transfer plans, and educational support measures. Following this, a parent survey conducted on July 11 showed that 65.9% of respondents supported the merger, exceeding the legal requirement of 50%.
On August 5, the administrative announcement period ended, and the merger was officially confirmed. The education office plans to establish various follow-up measures to ensure that students can adapt smoothly post-merger, including transport support, the protection of educational rights, and programs to help them adapt to school life.
Signs of closure and mergers among elementary schools in Busan
In the Busan area, the consolidation and closure of small schools are increasing. To date, a total of 51 schools have closed in Busan, and Gasan Elementary and Juwon Elementary in Busanjin-gu are set to close in 2024.
Major areas of closure include Gangseo-gu (16 schools), Gijang-gun (7 schools), Dong-gu (5 schools), Busanjin-gu (4 schools), and Sasang-gu (4 schools), where a phenomenon of school vacancies is becoming more pronounced due to the population decline in urban areas caused by new city developments.
Closed schools are being repurposed by the Busan City Education Office in various ways. For instance, Gasan Elementary will be relocated to the school administration support headquarters, while Juwon Elementary is scheduled to be sold through public bidding. These movements can be seen as efforts to respond to changes in the local community and educational environment.
151 'small schools'... 25% of all schools in Busan
According to the Ministry of Education's standards, elementary schools in urban areas with less than 240 students are considered small schools. These schools may potentially be reviewed for closure.
As of 2025, out of 616 schools in the Busan area, 151, or approximately 24.5%, are classified as small schools. This indicates that one in four elementary schools operating in Busan is at risk of closure.
However, the Busan City Education Office does not decide on mergers solely based on student numbers. They comprehensively consider multiple factors such as educational environment, the situation of nearby schools, commuting distances, and parent opinions. If a closure is pursued, they ensure to go through procedures to gather opinions through information sessions and surveys.
Conclusion: A new turning point in local education during the era of declining school-age population
The closure of Gwaebap Elementary School and its merger with Gamjeon Elementary can be seen as a decision aimed at providing a better educational environment for students. In the current situation where the school-age population is declining, it is highly likely that school mergers will continue in the future.
The city education office prioritizes creating an educational environment that can support small schools, and they are committed to sufficiently reflecting the opinions of parents and the local community regarding any future merger schools. These efforts will contribute to improving the quality of education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. When will Gwaebap Elementary School close and with which school will it merge?
Gwaebap Elementary School will close upon merging with Gamjeon Elementary School on March 1, 2026.
Gwaebap Elementary School, located in Sasang-gu, Busan, was established in 1982 and has been responsible for local education for about 40 years. However, due to the decline in the school-age population, the number of students has significantly decreased, leading to operational difficulties, and thus the decision was made to merge with nearby Gamjeon Elementary School starting from March 1, 2026. The merger process was finalized after undergoing various procedures, including parent information sessions and surveys.
Q. How were parent opinions reflected in the decision to close Gwaebap Elementary School?
65.9% of parents supported the merger, which greatly influenced the closure decision.
The Northern Education Support Office conducted a survey targeting parents on July 11, 2024, with 65.9% of respondents expressing support for the merger of Gwaebap and Gamjeon Elementary. This figure significantly exceeds the legal threshold of 50%, making parent opinions a vital basis for the decisions regarding closure and merger. Additionally, educational support and adaptation programs for students post-merger were also communicated.
Q. What is the status of small school mergers in the Busan area?
51 schools have closed in Busan, with approximately 25% classified as small schools, indicating a trend of consolidation.
Due to new city development and population decline in urban areas, many small schools exist in the Busan region. According to the Ministry of Education, elementary schools with fewer than 240 students are classified as small schools, with 151 out of 616 schools in Busan classified as such by 2025. Many of these schools are facing closure or merger risks, with increasing cases of closure in areas like Busanjin-gu, Gangseo-gu, Gijang-gun, Dong-gu, and Sasang-gu.
Q. What support measures will be provided for Gwaebap Elementary students to adapt to their studies and school life after the merger?
Various follow-up measures will be implemented, including commute support, protection of educational rights, and school life adaptation programs.
The Northern Education Support Office will implement multiple measures to ensure students can adapt smoothly to Gamjeon Elementary after the merger. These measures include transport support for ease of commute, enhanced education programs that guarantee educational rights, and tailored adaptation programs to help students quickly adjust to school life. These initiatives aim to improve students' educational environment and support stable school life.
Q. How does the Busan City Education Office make decisions regarding school closures and mergers?
Closure decisions are made based on a comprehensive assessment of the educational environment, commuting distances, and parent opinions.
The Busan City Education Office does not decide on closures solely based on student numbers. They consider various elements, including the situation of neighboring schools, educational environment, and commuting distances. Furthermore, they gather opinions from various stakeholders through information sessions, surveys, and other procedures when a closure is pursued. This process is carefully conducted to ensure the stability of local education and the protection of educational rights.
