▲ 부산교육청 전경     ©배종태 기자

[브레이크뉴스=배종태 기자] 부산시교육청은 편견과 차별이 없는 유아 통합교육 환경을 조성하기 위해 강서구 에코델타시티 내에 ‘공립 단설 새결유치원’을 개원한다고 7일 밝혔다.  

새결유치원은 3세부터 5세까지 유아를 대상으로 일반학급 7개, 특수학급 6개 등 총 13학급으로 구성된다. 기존 공립유치원들이 1~2개 특수학급에 머무른 것과 달리, 대규모 통합학급 운영으로 장애유아에 대한 개별화 교육 지원과 상호 통합교육이 크게 강화될 전망이다.  

통합유치원은 유아들이 분리된 환경을 벗어나 등원부터 하원까지 함께 생활하며, 놀이·일상·활동 전반을 통합적으로 운영하는 것이 특징이다. 

이를 통해 장애유아의 사회적 적응력과 자립 역량을 높이고, 모든 유아에게 균등한 교육 기회를 제공해 존중과 공감의 가치를 자연스럽게 형성하도록 하는 것이 목표다.  

새결유치원은 감각운동실, 심리안정실 등 유아의 발달 특성을 고려한 다양한 교육 공간을 갖추고 있다. 또한 통학차량을 운행해 등·하원 편의성도 높인다. 

학급 운영은 일반교사와 특수교사가 전일제 협력교수 방식으로 진행하며, 특수교육실무원이 함께 배치돼 유아의 발달 단계에 맞는 교육과정이 운영될 예정이다.  

김석준 부산시교육감은 “새결유치원이 유아 통합교육의 선도적 모델이 되어 지역사회 전반에 포용적 교육문화를 확산시키는 데 중추적 역할을 할 것”이라며 “장애와 비장애 유아가 함께 어울리며 배우는 교육환경 조성을 위해 지속적으로 노력하겠다”고 말했다.  

[Here’s the English news version of the article] Busan’s first integrated kindergarten for children with and without disabilities will open in March. 

The Busan Office of Education is establishing the region’s first integrated kindergarten where children with and without disabilities will learn together. 

The Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education announced on the 7th that it will open “Saegyeol Kindergarten,” a standalone public kindergarten, in Eco Delta City in Gangseo-gu to create an inclusive early childhood education environment free from prejudice and discrimination.

Saegyeol Kindergarten will serve children aged 3 to 5 and operate a total of 13 classes, consisting of seven general classes and six special classes. Unlike existing public kindergartens, which typically operate only one or two special classes, this large-scale integrated class system is expected to significantly strengthen individualized educational support for children with disabilities as well as overall inclusive education.

An integrated kindergarten is characterized by children moving out of segregated environments and instead living their day together from drop-off to pick-up, with play, daily routines, and activities all operated in an integrated manner. 

The goal is to enhance the social adaptability and independence of children with disabilities through early inclusive education, while providing equal educational opportunities for all children and naturally fostering values of respect and empathy.

Saegyeol Kindergarten is equipped with a variety of educational spaces tailored to young children’s developmental characteristics, including a sensory-motor room and a psychological stability room. 

It will also operate shuttle buses to improve convenience for commuting. Classes will be run through a full-time co-teaching system by general and special education teachers, with special education assistants assigned to support the operation of a curriculum that offers play, daily life, and activities suited to each child’s developmental stage.

Busan Superintendent of Education Kim Seok-joon stated that Saegyeol Kindergarten will serve as a leading model for inclusive early childhood education and play a central role in spreading an inclusive educational culture throughout the local community. He added that continuous efforts will be made to create an educational environment where children with and without disabilities can interact, play, and learn together.