The Education Ministry will reduce the number of state-run universities from 50 to 35 via mergers by 2007 and increase student loan recipients four-fold to 500,000, Education Minister Kim Jin-pyo said yesterday.

According to the ministry`s 2005 policy report presented to President Roh Moo-hyun, it will help amalgamate 50 universities and require them to reduce their students by 10 percent by 2007.

The ministry will come up with a restructuring program for universities by region in late May.

Previously, it had said it aimed to cut the number of both public and private universities by 25 percent to 271 by 2009 to raise the competitiveness of universities.

<**1>The ministry will disclose information on universities, including admission and graduate-employment rates, to encourage institutions to reform for survival.

It set aside 80 billion won this year and 300 billion won from next year for the shakeup. It will provide support up to 20 billion won a year for a public or private university that decides on integration.

The ministry also said it will set up funds by the first half of this year to increase the number of beneficiaries of student loans and the allowance to cover students` living expenses as well as tuition.

As for primary and secondary education, the ministry will install 1,000 surveillance cameras to stem school violence and increase "after-school classes" for children whose parents are at work, as well as for children of low income families.

(hjjin@heraldm.com)



By Jin Hyun-joo