Gyeongnam Office of Education Prepares Supplementary Budget of 7.3129 Trillion Won... 216 Billion Won Increase

The Gyeongnam Office of Education has prepared the first supplementary budget for 2024, amounting to 7.3129 trillion KRW, and submitted it to the Provincial Council on the 25th.

According to the provincial Office of Education, this supplementary budget is 216 billion KRW larger than the original budget of 7.0969 trillion KRW.

The revenue budget consists of ▲1.26 billion KRW from central government transfers ▲270 million KRW from local governments and other transfers ▲21.2 billion KRW from self-generated income ▲61.6 billion KRW from net surplus funds, totaling 216 billion KRW.

The expenditure budget increases by ▲38.3 billion KRW for personnel expenses ▲52 billion KRW for educational projects ▲132.8 billion KRW for facility projects ▲9.6 billion KRW for contingency funds, while reducing ▲16.7 billion KRW for operating expenses and internal reserves.

Gyeongnam Office of Education.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

The provincial Office of Education explained that the supplementary budget was prepared focusing on educational welfare that jointly takes responsibility for care and learning, realizing future education that supports independence, and creating an educational ecosystem where both students and faculty are happy.

Major educational welfare projects include expanding care and Neulbom programs with 6.9 billion KRW, additional support of 6.5 billion KRW for multi-child education expenses and free education at private kindergartens, and 4.2 billion KRW for responsible education grades and basic academic skills support.

Key projects related to realizing future education and fostering an educational ecosystem include 3 billion KRW for supporting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) digital textbooks, 2.4 billion KRW for operating the School Violence Zero Center, 1.7 billion KRW for strengthening vocational education innovation districts, and 1.2 billion KRW for teacher healing and protection of educational activities.

To improve the school educational environment, the budget reflects 40.6 billion KRW for renovating aging facilities, 35.6 billion KRW for asbestos removal and seismic reinforcement, 36.1 billion KRW for improving meal facilities and ventilation, and an increase of 19.2 billion KRW for teacher allowance raises.

Hwang Dulsuk, Policy Planning Officer, stated, “This supplementary budget was prepared using only available resources without using funds, considering the recent sharp decline in educational financial conditions. Although resources are limited, we prioritized creating a safe educational environment for our children and supporting future education.”

The supplementary budget submitted by the provincial Office of Education will undergo preliminary review by the Provincial Council’s Education Committee from May 14 to 24, followed by comprehensive review by the Budget and Accounts Special Committee, before final approval.