Gangdong-gu to Provide 11.8 Billion KRW in Education Expense Subsidies This Year

Support for Educational Expense Subsidies at 93 Schools in Gangdong-gu (Kindergartens, Elementary, Middle, High, and Special Schools)

1.1 Billion KRW Provided for School Programs and Environment Improvement, an Increase of 300 Million KRW Compared to Last Year

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Soo-hee) announced on the 7th that it will provide 11.8 billion KRW in educational expense subsidies to 93 local schools, including kindergartens, elementary, middle, high, and special schools, to create a "Diligent Education Gangdong, Smart Educational Environment."

On February 24, the Gangdong-gu Educational Expense Subsidy Deliberation Committee reviewed and approved the detailed support projects and amounts for each school.

By category, the budget is allocated as follows: 1.1 billion KRW for school program operation and environment improvement support, including learning assistants for special schools; 200 million KRW for specialized after-school care programs and English experience classes; 500 million KRW for fostering prestigious high schools; 200 million KRW for kindergarten support; approximately 130 million KRW for counseling volunteer support; about 8.74 billion KRW for eco-friendly free school meals; 40 million KRW for foreign language program participation support; approximately 720 million KRW for entrance preparation funds for new elementary, middle, and high school students; about 170 million KRW for youth challenge projects and club support; and 40 million KRW for youth sports activity support.

This year, 1.1 billion KRW has been allocated for school programs and environment improvement support, an increase of 300 million KRW compared to last year. The district is also launching a new after-school care support project for elementary schools, making generous educational investments to strengthen the competitiveness of Gangdong-gu schools.

The educational expense support project focuses on ensuring that distinctive programs at each school operate smoothly. For facility improvement projects, the district carefully considers safety and urgency, supporting projects essential to the school environment that also benefit local residents.

In particular, starting this year, high-quality programs will be provided in after-school care to alleviate the difficulties of parents with lower-grade elementary school children. Reflecting school demand, after-school care programs centered on arts and physical education to nurture children's talents and aptitudes, as well as 4th Industrial Revolution and English experience programs, will be operated to offer diverse and specialized education beyond the traditional care function.

Additionally, 10 "Learning Assistants for Students with Disabilities" will be supported at two special schools, and 10 "School Life Supporters" will be provided to special classes in general schools in connection with the 2023 Seoul-type New Deal Job Project. This is expected to fill the support gap in school life for students with disabilities, which cannot be fully covered by special education assistants alone, thereby enhancing the quality of special education and guaranteeing learning rights.

Furthermore, the "Needs Call" counseling volunteers, who help students undergoing rapid physical and emotional changes maintain psychological stability and support healthy school life, will be autonomously operated in elementary and middle schools according to school circumstances, facilitating tailored, on-site counseling.

Finally, eco-friendly free school meals have been expanded since last year to include kindergartens along with elementary, middle, high, and special schools. Entrance preparation funds have also been expanded from middle and high schools to elementary schools since last year. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, Seoul City, and each autonomous district jointly bear the financial burden to provide this support. The district expects that this expansion of educational welfare will provide safe, high-quality food to children, our future, while reducing the economic burden on parents.

Kim Hee, Director of the Education Support Division, stated, "We will continue to reflect the voices of schools to promote substantial educational support projects," adding, "Through meticulous support for elementary after-school care, strengthening school competitiveness, and supporting the holistic development of students' capabilities, we will strive to create a happy educational environment for our children, the future leaders."