'Mom, I couldn't use the bathroom — it was too dirty': One in four school buildings over 40 years old, superintendents say W38.9tr needed for repairs

The Korean Council of Superintendents of Education has called on the National Assembly to secure funding to repair aging school buildings and prepare for earthquakes and fires. With one in four school buildings nationwide now more than 40 years old, the council estimated that 38.93 trillion won ($28.7 billion) will be needed over the five years starting next year to improve school facilities.

The council released the findings Tuesday after surveying metropolitan and provincial offices of education on the budget required for school facility improvements from 2027 to 2031. It said that even as student enrollment declines, aging buildings must be replaced and many sites need reinforcement to meet tightened safety standards.

The costliest category is the educational environment improvement project, which covers facilities students use every day. The council estimated 22.21 trillion won will be needed over five years. Projected costs include 3.99 trillion won for restroom upgrades, 3.76 trillion won to replace deteriorating windows and frames, and 2.03 trillion won to replace heating and cooling systems.

Rebuilding aging school structures and reconfiguring classrooms and learning spaces will require 13.31 trillion won. According to the Korea Education Facility Safety Institute, as of Wednesday, 8,441 of the 34,033 school buildings nationwide — 24.8 percent — were more than 40 years old.

The council said 3.4 trillion won is needed for student safety projects covering earthquake and fire preparedness. Of that, 85.5 percent — 2.91 trillion won — will be required over the three years from next year through 2029. By project type, seismic reinforcement of school buildings accounts for the largest share at 1.67 trillion won.

The council asked the National Assembly to establish a legal basis for stably securing local education grants while also allowing the education and human resources account within the government's proposed future response fund to cover school facility improvement costs.

The council and the Ministry of Education will hold a forum at the National Assembly members' office building Wednesday morning to discuss which facilities should be prioritized for repair.

Jung Geun-sik, chairman of the Korean Council of Superintendents of Education and Seoul superintendent of education, said, "Even as the number of students falls, school buildings age every year, and children spend a significant part of their day inside them." Jung added, "Seismic reinforcement, sprinkler installation and asbestos removal are basic responsibilities of the state and education authorities that cannot be deferred on grounds of insufficient budget."