Next year's university admission quota will be reduced by 12%… Promotion of appropriate training scale for elementary school teachers

Starting from the 2025 school year, the admission quota for all 10 universities of education will be reduced by 12%. The reduced undergraduate admission quota is expected to be used to increase or create a new graduate school of education.

In addition, the admission qualifications will be relaxed so that even if you do not have a teaching certificate, you can enter the Graduate School of Education.

On the 11th, the Ministry of Education announced the ‘2024 Regular Approval Plan for College of Education Quotas’ containing the following contents.

Elementary school students participating in classes after school. (Photo = Public Communication Office, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

Although the scale of new elementary school teacher recruitment has continued to decrease since 2014 due to a decrease in the school-age population, the number of admissions to training institutions such as colleges of education has been frozen since 2012, raising the need to reduce the number of admissions.

In particular, although the scale of new recruitment has decreased by more than 50% compared to 2014, the admission quota has remained the same, which leads to a decline in the appointment passing rate and creates difficulties in its role as a special purpose university that trains elementary school teachers, making it necessary to reduce the admission quota.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Education has been discussing with the National Association of Presidents of Teacher Training Universities since last January, formed a consensus with universities, and decided on the size and direction of reduction in admissions quota to be applied from the 2025 school year, taking into account the mid- to long-term teacher supply and demand plan and the dropout rate of new students at colleges of education. did.

In particular, the Ministry of Education plans to provide support in conjunction with university financial support projects to ensure that this reduction in enrollment does not lead to financial difficulties for universities, and to provide more detailed support for autonomous innovation for teacher training.

First, considering the special characteristics of purpose-built teacher training institutions, efforts to reduce the number of admissions will be reflected in the 2024 ‘National University Development Project’ incentive evaluation.

In addition, each university can use the reduced undergraduate admission quota to increase or establish a new graduate school of education.

In order to increase the operating autonomy of the Graduate School of Education, the admission qualifications will be relaxed so that even those who do not have a teaching certificate can enter the Graduate School of Education in accordance with school regulations.

We support the improvement of the curriculum of the College of Education through the Teacher Training Course Improvement University Support Project so that the College of Education can further develop into future education, regional characteristics, and student-centered education, including strengthening digital capabilities, while expanding its function as a teacher training institution. We decided to actively support innovation in universities of education, including establishing a cooperative system with provincial and provincial offices of education.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Joo-ho said, “I am grateful to the university for its cooperation in reducing the number of admissions under difficult circumstances.” He added, “The College of Education is performing its function as a teacher retraining institution that trains excellent prospective teachers and further supports the professional development of in-service teachers.” “We will actively support it so that it can expand further,” he said.

Inquiries: Teacher Education and Training Department, Teacher Parent Support Center, Ministry of Education (044-203-6508)