Reasons for Proposal and Major Provisions

In Korea, it is necessary to research child care and education policy in a comprehensive, systematic manner in order to respond efficiently to low birth rates, an aging population, and a knowledge-based economy and society. Research on child care and education policy was previously separated into early childhood education and child care and conducted by the Korean Educational Development Institute and Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, but it has now been integrated and is carried out by the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education.

There is a particularly urgent need for a comprehensive, specialized research institute to study the Nuri Curriculum, promote learning, and foster, train, and evaluate teachers.

However, the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education is an auxiliary organization jointly operated by the Korean Educational Development Institute and Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs and this has created inefficiencies in the operation and implementation of staff, budgets, and research projects in relation to child care and education policy as well as difficulties in securing top research talent.

Accordingly, the Amendment changes the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education into the Korea Child Care and Education Institute, an independent corporation and government-funded research institute affiliated with the Economics, Humanities and Social Research Council, thereby upgrading the status of the Institute and ensuring the stability and independence of its child care and education research and national policy support functions (attached Table 25 newly inserted).