▲ 정태숙 부산시의원이 시교육청 행정사무감사에서 질의를 하고 있다.  © 배종태 기자

[브레이크뉴스=배종태 기자] 부산광역시의회 정태숙 의원(교육위)은 6일 부산시교육청 행정사무감사에서 특수학급 과밀 문제와 소규모 학교 운영 문제에 대해 강도 높은 비판을 쏟아냈다.  

정 의원은 “부산 내 특수학급 104개교가 법정 학급당 학생 수 기준을 초과하여 운영되고 있다”며 “특히 고등학교 특수학급은 절반에 가까운 47.5%가 과밀 상태인데도 올해 단 한 학급도 신설되지 않아 학생들의 학습권이 심각하게 침해받고 있다”고 말했다. 

이어 “특수학급 과밀은 행정 편의가 아닌 학생 개개인의 권리 문제”라면서 “장애학생들이 원하는 학교에서 적절한 교육을 받도록 특수학급 확충을 중장기적으로 계획해 달라”고 목소리를 높였다.  

또한 “부산에는 전교생 100명 이하 소규모 학교가 43개나 되어, 적은 학생 수에도 불구하고 많은 예산이 투입되고 있다”면서 “이로 인해 학생들은 현장체험학습과 방과후수업 같은 기본적 교육마저 제대로 받지 못하고 있다. 교육청의 안일한 운영이 결국 피해를 보는 것은 학생들”이라고 비판했다. 

이어 “소규모 학교의 휴·폐교와 통폐합 문제는 폐교 직전 급박한 상황에서 다루는 것이 아니라 시간적 여유를 두고 중장기적으로 신중하게 계획해야 한다”고 촉구했다.  

이날 정 의원은 “특수학급 과밀 해소와 소규모 학교 운영 문제는 더 이상 미룰 수 없는 교육 현안”이라며 “부산시와 교육청은 학생들의 학습권 보장과 교육의 질 향상을 위해 보다 적극적이고 체계적인 대응에 나서야 한다”고 강조했다.  

이 같은 지적은 2025년 부산시교육청이 특수학급 41개 신·증설 계획과 중장기 확대 정책을 발표했음에도 여전히 고등학교 특수학급 과밀 문제와 소규모 학교 운영의 비효율성 문제는 개선이 미흡하다는 현실을 가감 없이 드러낸 것이다.

Here is the English translation of the article] Busan Councilor Jung Tae-sook Warns of Budget Waste and Declining Education Quality in Schools with Fewer Than 100 Students"

At the November 6, Busan Councilor Jung Tae-sook(People Power Party, Nam-gu District 2) sharply criticized the overcrowding in special education classes and the inefficiencies in small-sized schools.

She stated, “Currently, 104 schools across Busan fail to meet the legal student-to-class ratio in special education classrooms. Of particular concern are high schools where nearly 47.5% of special classes exceed the legal limit, yet not a single new class has been added this year. This is not just about numbers; it’s about students’ rights to receive tailored support based on their disabilities.”

She further emphasized, “Special classrooms must prioritize the learning rights of students over administrative convenience. Without sufficient expansion of special classes, students are denied individualized educational support that they are entitled to.”

Regarding small schools with fewer than 100 students, she pointed out that “there are 43 such schools in Busan. Despite their small size, they require adequate teacher staffing and facilities, resulting in significant budget expenditures. However, students in these schools face limited opportunities for experiential learning and after-school programs due to insufficient resources. The education office’s complacent management ultimately harms the students.”

Jung urged the government to take proactive measures: “We must preemptively address the closure and consolidation of small schools to minimize student disadvantages. Planning should be done well ahead of time rather than reactively during an imminent closure phase.”

In sum, Jung Tae-sook demanded, “The overcrowding of special education classes and the inefficient operation of small schools are urgent issues. The Busan city government and education office must adopt more active and systematic approaches to safeguard students’ learning rights and improve the quality of education.”

Her comments reflect ongoing challenges despite the Busan Office of Education's plans to add 41 special classes this year and a policy to expand 84 classes over three years, indicating that both overcrowding and inefficiencies remain unaddressed in certain areas of the educational system.

At the November 6 administrative audit of the Busan Metropolitan Council's Education Committee,  Jung Tae-sook (People Power Party, Nam-gu District 2)council's member sharply criticized the overcrowding in special education classes and the inefficiencies in small-sized schools.

She stated, “Currently, 104 schools across Busan fail to meet the legal student-to-class ratio in special education classrooms. Of particular concern are high schools where nearly 47.5% of special classes exceed the legal limit, yet not a single new class has been added this year. This is not just about numbers; it’s about students’ rights to receive tailored support based on their disabilities.”

She further emphasized, “Special classrooms must prioritize the learning rights of students over administrative convenience. Without sufficient expansion of special classes, students are denied individualized educational support that they are entitled to.”

Regarding small schools with fewer than 100 students, she pointed out that “there are 43 such schools in Busan. Despite their small size, they require adequate teacher staffing and facilities, resulting in significant budget expenditures. However, students in these schools face limited opportunities for experiential learning and after-school programs due to insufficient resources. The education office’s complacent management ultimately harms the students.”

Jung urged the government to take proactive measures: “We must preemptively address the closure and consolidation of small schools to minimize student disadvantages. Planning should be done well ahead of time rather than reactively during an imminent closure phase.”

In sum, Jung Tae-sook demanded, “The overcrowding of special education classes and the inefficient operation of small schools are urgent issues. The Busan city government and education office must adopt more active and systematic approaches to safeguard students’ learning rights and improve the quality of education.”

Her comments reflect ongoing challenges despite the Busan Office of Education's plans to add 41 special classes this year and a policy to expand 84 classes over three years, indicating that both overcrowding and inefficiencies remain unaddressed in certain areas of the educational system.