Seoul schools seek co-ed status amid declining enrollment

A total of 11 middle and high schools in Seoul have applied to become co-educational institutions, a move driven by the challenges of operating single-sex schools amidst declining student populations. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced on Thursday that five middle schools and six high schools submitted applications to transition starting in the 2027-2028 academic years.

Among the applicants are schools with significant historical backgrounds. Muhak Girls' High School, founded in 1940 during the Japanese colonial era, boasts 86 years of history. Sungsim Girls' High School, another applicant, is the alma mater of former President Park Geun-hye. Four educational foundations are seeking to convert both their affiliated middle and high schools simultaneously, including Whigyeong Educational Foundation (Whigyeong Middle and High Schools) and Sungsim Educational Foundation (Sungsim Middle and High Schools).

Schools cited the crisis of operating single-sex institutions due to the low birth rate and the potential for curriculum degradation as student numbers decrease. Smaller student bodies can lead to fewer elective course options and increased competition for grades. Schools like Muhak Girls' High School in Seongdong-gu and Sungsim Middle and High Schools in Yongsan-gu are particularly struggling to maintain adequate student numbers due to urban depopulation and a sharp decline in female students.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will review the applications based on student placement plans, the appropriateness of the conversion, and surveys of the school communities. The final decision on which schools will be approved for co-education will be announced in July. Schools that are approved will receive financial support for facility improvements, such as restrooms, and operational costs, amounting to approximately 240 million won per school over three years. Additionally, funding for student guidance and personnel costs will be provided, totaling around 60 million won per school over the same period. Superintendent Choong Kun-sik expressed strong support, stating that the high interest in co-education reflects proactive measures against declining student populations and efforts to ensure students' learning choices.

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The high interest in co-education reflects efforts to proactively respond to the declining school-age population and guarantee students' learning choices.