The Ministry of Education announced plans to enhance early childhood care next year by promoting a government-responsible integration of education and care services, expanding free education and care support from age 5 to age 4. Additionally, the teacher-to-child ratio for infants will be improved from one teacher per three children to one teacher per two children, and the number of care institutions in vulnerable areas will be significantly increased from 56 to 200.
To foster AI talent leading future society, the Ministry will establish fast-track programs for innovative bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, and strengthen support for postdoctoral researchers, aiming for a ‘Top 3 in AI’ goal. On December 12, the Ministry held a ‘2026 Ministry of Education Work Report’ at the Government Sejong Convention Center, outlining 15 key tasks to achieve the vision of ‘basic education responsible by the state, education powerhouse felt by the people,’ ensuring the co-growth of individuals, schools, and regions through education.
To build a school ecosystem that utilizes AI in daily life, the Ministry will expand support for the autonomous selection and use of AI educational materials and develop ‘K-Education AI’ for universal use in classes and administration. All students will be encouraged to use AI proactively and critically through expanded question-based classes and descriptive evaluations, and AI-focused schools will be gradually increased. Customized AI educational content for basic education, special education, migrant backgrounds, and rural areas, along with curriculum-linked AI ethics content for proper AI use, will also be developed and provided.
A nationwide strategic education and research hub closely linked to the government’s 5+3 strategic industries for balanced national growth will be established, and customized regional talent development will be fully implemented. Over 5 years, more than 4 trillion won will be additionally invested in key national universities to improve the quality of education and research, preventing the outflow of excellent regional talent to the metropolitan area. Starting next year, three key national universities will be developed into world-class specialized research universities and institutes in stages, fostering regional industry-academia-research hubs.