Gyeongnam Office of Education Prepares First Supplementary Budget for 2025 at 7.16 Trillion Won, Up by 357 Billion Won

The Gyeongnam Office of Education has prepared its first supplementary budget proposal for 2025, totaling 716.07 billion won, and submitted it to the Gyeongnam Provincial Council.

On July 9, the Office announced that it had increased the budget by 357 billion won, or 5.2%, compared to this year's original budget of 680.37 billion won.

This supplementary budget increases total revenue by 357 billion won, including 222.1 billion won in transfers from the central government, 16.5 billion won in transfers from local governments and other sources, 23.9 billion won in self-generated income, and 94.5 billion won from net world surplus and other sources.

On the expenditure side, the budget increases personnel expenses by 49.7 billion won, education project expenses by 105.6 billion won, facility project expenses by 224.7 billion won, and contingency funds and others by 1.8 billion won, while reducing operating expenses and internal reserves by 24.8 billion won.

Gyeongnam Office of Education. Photo by Lee Seryoung

The Office explained, "We have focused on projects such as the Future Education District initiative to complete a community-based education model, school arts education, the stable establishment of the Gyeongnam-style Neulbom School, improving basic academic skills, realizing future education that supports both public and private coexistence, improving safe and pleasant educational environments, and the establishment and expansion of schools to ensure smooth school openings."

In particular, 3.3 billion won has been allocated to the Future Education District project, which was suspended at the end of last year due to budget cuts, and the budget for the School Arts Instructor Support Project has been increased by 3.2 billion won.

The budget also includes 6.8 billion won for the establishment of the 4th and 5th Regional Integrated Care Centers, 600 million won for Neulbom Safe Classrooms and Safe Return Home, 900 million won for the establishment of care classrooms, 1 billion won for the operation of dedicated instructors for basic academic skills, 900 million won for the Learning Comprehensive Clinic Center, 3.6 billion won for the operation of Doodream School, and 1.7 billion won for support of Nuri Classrooms within schools.

Additionally, 3.6 billion won has been allocated for the establishment of artificial intelligence (AI) servers for future education, 1.9 billion won for leading schools in digital-based personalized student education, 3.5 billion won for strengthening teachers' AI teaching and learning capabilities, and 1.8 billion won for establishing a learning data linkage system for AI digital textbooks (AIDT).

The budget also includes 30.8 billion won for improving meal facilities and ventilation, 14.6 billion won for asbestos removal and seismic reinforcement, 9.3 billion won for expanding multipurpose auditoriums and special facilities, and 157.9 billion won for improving aging school facilities and establishing or expanding schools.

Kang Manjo, Director of Policy Planning, stated, "We have focused the budget on completing a community-based education model and ensuring that our children can grow up in a safe and healthy educational environment," adding, "We will continue to communicate with the Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Council and do our best to ensure smooth budget deliberations."

The supplementary budget proposal submitted this time is scheduled to undergo preliminary review by the Education Committee and comprehensive review by the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts of the Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Council from July 7 to July 17, before being finalized.