Korea's first special school dedicated to systematically nurturing artistic talents of students with disabilities will be established. The school is expected to become a new model for special education that combines arts education with career development, going beyond basic learning support.
Pusan National University announced on May 10 that it will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on May 17 for the "Pusan National University College of Education Arts Middle and High School for Special Education" on a site near the university's main athletic field.
The school is Korea's first arts-specialized special school that will recruit students with disabilities who have artistic talents through nationwide admissions. Established as a special school affiliated with a national university, it is expected to present a new educational model linking special education with university educational resources.
The school will have 21 classes in total—9 middle school classes and 12 high school classes—with a capacity of 138 students. The facility will span approximately 14,600 square meters with a total project cost of about 47.4 billion won. Completion is targeted for August 2028.
Educational facilities are also designed for arts education. In addition to regular classrooms, specialized music and art classrooms will be established, along with a gymnasium and dormitory facilities. This aims to create an environment where students with disabilities can maintain stable school life while pursuing both academics and artistic activities.
The establishment of this school holds significant meaning in terms of expanding educational rights for students with disabilities. While special education has often focused on basic learning and life support, this school aims to be a specialized model that simultaneously strengthens talent development and career education.
In particular, by utilizing the university-linked educational environment to provide both arts education programs and career exploration, the school aims to build an "integrated special education ecosystem" that develops both artistic activities and vocational capabilities for students with disabilities.
The groundbreaking ceremony will be attended by officials from the Ministry of Education, Busan Metropolitan City, Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, Geumjeong District Office, disability organizations, and special school representatives to share the significance of the school's establishment.
Pusan National University President Choi Jae-won said, "We expect to create an educational environment where students with disabilities who have artistic talents can fully demonstrate their potential, and to present a new model for special education."