The government will postpone free education for high school students due to a lack of funding.

The Education Ministry announced Thursday it will spend a budget of 54-point-36 trillion won next year, up one percent from this year.

The ministry said it planned to provide free education for high school students next year but will hold off until after 2015 due to decreased tax revenues. The ministry added it aims to introduce the free high school education during the term of the current government.

The government’s plan to halve college tuitions next year also foundered as the budget for state scholarships has been set at about three-point-two trillion won, roughly one trillion won less than the ministry's request.

The ministry, however, will implement free after-school classes for first and second graders in elementary schools starting next year as planned.