Ministry of Education

Special education

With a view to meeting the unique instructional needs of pupils with many different types of disabilities, we operate well-crafted services—support for counseling, family matters, treatment, care assistants, assistive technology devices, learning equipment, commuting, and information access. For children who are found eligible for special education, pre-primary, primary, and secondary education is mandatory. We also give tuition-free programs to toddlers younger than 3 years and high school graduates who wish to pursue career training.

Act on Special Education for Persons with Disabilities, etc.

Enacted in 2008, the Act on Special Education for Persons with Disabilities, etc. is intended to provide individuals with special needs with an integrated learning environment and educational approaches in line with the characteristics and degree of disability at different stages in their life cycle, so that they can realize their full potential within a society. It also clarifies the role of central and local authorities in the selection and placement of special education recipients, compulsory schooling—kindergarten and elementary, middle, and high schools—and free educational opportunities.

Statistics on special education in Korea (as of April 1, 2021)

Special education curriculum

The special education program can be divided into four: kindergarten, core courses, and electives—which follow general education requirements—and basic courses—designed to help students incapable of fulfilling general education competency bolster independence and community engagement.