The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education announced on the 11th that it has selected four areas—Bucheon, Seongnam, Siheung, and Icheon—as preliminary locations for Gyeonggi-style science high schools in the first-stage review.
Previously, 12 regions in Gyeonggi-do submitted applications to the provincial office of education last November. Three regions applied for conversion to general high schools, while nine regions applied for new establishments.
Afterward, the provincial office appointed seven members as reviewers, including university professors, principals, and school establishment experts. The reviewers determined that four additional science high schools were needed after a month-long review.
Bucheon, selected in this preliminary first-stage designation review, applied for the conversion of Bucheon High School to a science high school and received high evaluations for its focus on science-centered school capabilities, specialized curriculum in robotics, and financial support from the city hall. Bundang Central High School in Seongnam also applied for conversion to a science high school and was highly evaluated for its emphasis on science-centered school capabilities and a specialized curriculum linked with information technology (IT) institutions in the Pangyo area.
Siheung, which wanted a new establishment, effectively provided land designated for elementary and high schools and emphasized a biotech-specialized curriculum linked with Seoul National University's Siheung campus. Icheon highlighted its strengths with a specialized curriculum related to semiconductors and smart farms, as well as financial and land support from the city hall.
The four areas selected on this day will undergo deliberation by the special-purpose high school designation operating committee in January 2025, followed by a request for agreement from the Minister of Education. They will be finally designated and announced around March.