The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has achieved a 3.57% priority purchase rate for standard workplaces for people with disabilities in 2024, as a result of its policy efforts to expand employment for the disabled. This achievement is expected to be the highest among educational offices nationwide for three consecutive years.
This year, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education’s purchase amount from standard workplaces for people with disabilities was approximately 54.4 billion won, an increase of 12.4 billion won from the previous year. This figure significantly exceeds the legal standard of 0.8%, having steadily increased from 2.3% in 2022 to 2.8% in 2023. Additionally, the purchase of products made by severely disabled persons totaled 16.4 billion won, surpassing the legal standard of 1%, marking the highest record since 2016.
These achievements are the result of strategic policy promotion by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. A structure was established where the main office and educational support offices set joint purchase goals and shared performance indicators. A requirement for meeting the legal purchase rate was added to the performance bonus items for schools, encouraging voluntary participation. Moreover, the previously low-priced items-focused purchase structure has been diversified, more than doubling the items purchased over 500 million won.
Through these results, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has indirectly contributed to the employment and economic independence of people with disabilities and is expected to become a model in fulfilling the social responsibility of public institutions and creating a sustainable purchasing ecosystem.
Jeong Geun-sik, superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, stated, “Policies for the employment and welfare of people with disabilities are not optional but a duty,” and pledged to continue fulfilling their role as a leading educational office in realizing social values in the educational field.