Expanding Youth After-School Academies to 350 Locations and Supporting Safe Youth Return Home

Recruitment of New Students for the 22nd Academic Year
Expansion of Support Funds for Commuting Vehicles
'Ansimdolbom Room' Operation Continues This Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is expanding the number of institutions operating Youth After-School Academies and increasing support funds for return-home vehicles to help participating youth return home safely.

On the 2nd, the Ministry announced that the number of Youth After-School Academy operating institutions will increase from 332 last year to 350 this year. It also stated that the additional support for vehicle rental costs will increase from 770,000 KRW to 1,440,000 KRW.

In areas outside urban centers with low accessibility, evening return-home vehicles are operated to ensure youth safety. About 200 institutions operate return-home vehicles. For single-operator institutions without co-riders (flexible operation type, 9 institutions), one assistant staff member will be assigned during vehicle operation.

With the new semester, 350 Youth After-School Academies nationwide are recruiting new students for the 2022 academic year. The program targets youth needing after-school care (grades 4 to 9). There is no income criterion, but priority is given to basic livelihood security recipients, near-poverty groups, single-parent, grandparent-headed, multicultural, disabled families, families with two or more children, and dual-income families.

Youth After-School Academies operate year-round for more than four hours daily after school. They provide meals, snacks, counseling, academic support, and run creative experiential programs such as clubs, camps, cultural, artistic, and sports activities.

Additionally, to protect unvaccinated youth, access by outsiders to the After-School Academies will be strictly managed with vaccination certificate checks and other quarantine measures.

To address care gaps caused by COVID-19, 'Safe Care Rooms' will continue to operate this year. Operating hours will be extended from 4 PM?9 PM to 9 AM?9 PM, and support will be expanded to include unregistered youth. Emergency care support is available regardless of the school level of the operating institution.

Lee Jeongshim, Director of Youth and Family Policy at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, said, "To nurture creative future talents who can proactively lead social change, various experiential activities beyond formal education are necessary. We ask for active interest and participation in the Youth After-School Academies so that youth can design and prepare for their futures independently."