Jeonnam Office of Education and Jeonnam Province Engage in Tension over Free School Meal Support

Provincial Assembly Member Choi Jeong-hoon: "Reconsider the Contribution Ratio"

Choi Jeong-hoon, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Council (Democratic Party of Korea·Jangheung 4), demanded a thorough reexamination of the support and cost-sharing ratio for free school meals and operating and personnel expenses in schools across the province during the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education’s administrative audit on the 12th.

According to Councilor Choi, in next year’s main budget for free school meals, Jeonnam Province requested a 200 KRW increase in the unit price of food costs, while the Provincial Office of Education requested a 400 KRW increase. The province set the cost-sharing ratio at 30% for local governments and 70% for the Office of Education, but the Office of Education set both at 50% each.

Choi Jeong-hoon, Jeonnam Provincial Council Member.

Currently, the support for free school meals in each school in Jeonnam is ranked 12th nationwide, with an average food cost unit price of 4,085 KRW per person, reflecting the average of the living cost index and fresh food index. Additionally, support for high-quality ingredients is 813 KRW, ranking 3rd nationwide.

This year, Jeonnam Province announced that it will support 124.5 billion KRW in free school meal expenses for 1,289 schools in the province next year, and adjust the food cost burden ratio between local governments and the Office of Education to 30% for local governments and 70% for the Office of Education.

On the other hand, the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education stated that if the province calculates next year’s cost-sharing ratio differently from the current method by including the cost of high-quality ingredients, the Office of Education’s share will actually increase to 76%. The Office of Education explained that free school meals and support for high-quality ingredients are separate support projects under different ordinances, and that negotiations were canceled due to the province’s unilateral notification, with the matter being decided after submission to the review committee.

An official from the Office of Education said, “On the 24th of last month, the team leader at the provincial office unilaterally notified us that ‘the province’s proposal was changed to a 3:7 ratio, and the review committee materials would be revised.’ The review committee’s resolution was also conducted under the province’s jurisdiction, not the Office of Education’s,” adding, “We have requested the province to reconsider the school meal support review committee to resolve the issue.”

Regarding this, Councilor Choi said, “The difference in positions between the two institutions is very large. However, looking at the review committee, it seems that the province’s position was largely reflected,” and added, “A reexamination of the cost-sharing support ratio is necessary. I hope smooth consultations will be held to prevent any harm to the students.”