Investigation of the Educational Environment in Rural Areas and Improvement Strategies : Focusing on the Perspective of Parents

The rapid aging population and low birth rates in rural areas of South Korea have led to severe depopulation and a sharp decline in the school-age population, posing significant challenges for these regions. The proportion of school-age children in rural areas decreased from 60.7% in the 1970s to 16.6% in 2022. This decline has exacerbated the deterioration of the educational environment and widened the educational gap between rural and urban areas. Such disparities accelerate the outmigration of rural students, hindering the sustainable development of these communities. This study aims to address educational challenges in rural areas by examining the current state of the educational environment and establishing a foundation for rural-specific education policies. To achieve this, existing research and policies were reviewed to identify key factors that reflect the unique characteristics of rural regions, and alternative solutions were proposed. The study seeks to determine the direction for improving education policies from both the perspective of the rural educational environment and the parents’ viewpoints. Through this research, we aim to provide a data-driven foundation for formulating customized educational support policies, offering concrete strategies to bridge the rural-urban education gap and enhance academic achievement. Ultimately, improving the educational environment for students in rural areas is expected to contribute to balanced regional development and sustainable community growth.