Seoul District Mayors Association to Provide 300,000 KRW Admission Preparation Fund for New Middle and High School Students in Seoul Starting Next Year

Regardless of household income, 300,000 KRW per person admission preparation fund (Zero Pay) support... Admission fund can be used to purchase clothing including uniforms and smart devices (tablet PCs) needed for remote classes... Approximately 136,700 new middle and high school students in Seoul will receive about 41 billion KRW funded by Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, Seoul City, and autonomous districts at a 5:3:2 ratio.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Lee Dong-jin, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council of District Mayors (Mayor of Dobong District), announced at a press conference held at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on the 29th that starting from 2021, new students entering middle and high schools will receive entrance preparation funds in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Office of Education.

This is to reduce the economic burden on families of students entering middle and high schools and to strengthen the public nature of education.

The target group includes approximately 136,700 new students entering public, national, and private middle and high schools within Seoul.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council of District Mayors plans to provide entrance preparation funds of 300,000 KRW per student via Zero Pay, regardless of income, starting next year for new students entering middle and high schools, in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Office of Education.

The entrance preparation funds will be paid as Zero Pay mobile gift certificates upon registration after the new students are assigned to their schools for promotion in February, based on the application documents. The funds can be used to purchase uniforms, clothing, and smart devices (tablet PCs) necessary for remote classes.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, Seoul Metropolitan Government, and autonomous districts will bear the costs in a 5:3:2 ratio, supporting approximately 41 billion KRW. Detailed implementation plans will be finalized later through a cooperative body among the related organizations.

Lee Dong-jin, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council of District Mayors (Mayor of Dobong District), stated, “This entrance preparation fund support policy was established to alleviate the economic burden on families during the difficult times caused by COVID-19. In particular, within the same metropolitan area, all new students will receive equal support regardless of income, ensuring no discrimination and securing the public nature of education through mutual cooperation and decisions among autonomous districts, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and the Office of Education.”

He added, “Even after this measure, we will closely cooperate among autonomous districts on all matters to ensure students’ physical and mental healthy school life.”