Analysis of the System and Linkage Structure of School Safety Education: Focusing on the Education Policy and Curriculum in Korea, Germany, and Japan

[Purpose] This study aims to compare and analyze safety education policy guidelines and curriculum documents from Korea, Germany, and Japan to identify an appropriate structural system and linkage strategies for Korea. [Method] A comparative analysis was conducted on the structure of educational content and patterns of curriculum linkage based on each country’s policy guidelines and curriculum documents. [Results] All three countries prioritized school safety education but differed in policy development, curricular reflection, and school-level implementation. Korea institutionalized safety education all at once in response to the Sewol Ferry disaster, covering a wide range of areas. However, its effectiveness is limited due to a co-curricular focus and weak subject linkage. Germany and Japan, shaped by gradual policy development, embedded safety content in achievement standards and annual plans. Germany emphasized subject linkage, while Japan connected curricular and co-curricular activities. Both adopted spiral structures by grade level to align with students’ developmental stages. [Conclusion] The study suggests restructuring Korea’s safety education through stronger subject linkage, better alignment across policy, curriculum and school practice, and developmentally appropriate spiral design.