Jeonnam 'Free School Meals', 60% Covered by Provincial Office of Education, 40% by Provincial Government

219,000 People Next Year... Project Cost 165.1 Billion Won

Jeonnam Province and the Jeonnam Office of Education, which had been in sharp conflict over the budget-sharing ratio for free school meals, have reached a final agreement.

According to the Jeonnam Provincial Council on the 2nd, the two institutions agreed on a budget-sharing ratio for free school meals next year of 40% by Jeonnam Province (cities and counties) and 60% by the Office of Education. Previously, Jeonnam Province set the support ratio at 30% by local governments and 70% by the Office of Education, but the Office of Education demanded 50% each, leading to a standoff.

Jeonnam Provincial Council

As the two institutions failed to narrow their differences over adjusting the free meal budget burden rate, the Jeonnam Provincial Council’s Budget and Accounts Special Committee postponed the review of next year’s budget proposal to urge an agreement. Consequently, both sides held marathon meetings during the recess period and barely reached an agreement.

According to the agreement, the budget-sharing ratio for free school meals will be adjusted so that for two years, 2025 and 2026, the province (cities and counties) will bear 40% and the Office of Education 60%. The two institutions will form a joint task force to further discuss issues such as the support for high-quality ingredients at 200 won per meal and fundamental meal service problems.

Next year, free school meals in the Jeonnam region will support 219,000 students across 2,199 schools. The support amount is estimated at 4,613 won per meal, with a total project cost of 165.1 billion won.

Na Gwang-guk, Chair of the Budget and Accounts Special Committee, stated, “Close communication and cooperation between the two institutions are necessary for the continuous and stable operation of free school meals.”