Jeong Seonghong: "Gwangju School Meal Cost Lower Than National Average"

Average Meal Cost for Elementary, Middle, and High Schools at 4,303 Won
Ranks 14th Nationwide

Jeong Seonghong, former head of the Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU), who has announced his candidacy for the Gwangju Superintendent of Education election, pointed out that the school meal cost per student in Gwangju is lower than the national average.

On December 18, at a press conference held in the briefing room of the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, Jeong stated, "As of this year, the average meal cost per student for elementary, middle, high, and special schools in Gwangju is 4,303 won, which falls short of the national average of 4,441 won, ranking 14th among the 17 metropolitan and special self-governing cities and provinces."

He also explained that the average meal cost per student at public kindergartens in Gwangju is 3,260 won, lower than the national average of 3,437 won, placing Gwangju at 12th nationwide. Jeong noted, "Although Gwangju has fewer students eligible for free meals than Chungnam and Chungbuk, its school meal budget is higher, yet the per capita meal cost is actually lower."

Jeong proposed not only raising the meal cost per student but also expanding school meal policies. He envisions establishing smart farm school enterprises, centered on students from agricultural high schools, to supply safe food ingredients and connect graduates to local, settlement-based jobs after graduation.

Jeong declared, "By increasing the meal cost per student by 20 percent, establishing school enterprises, and introducing an optional meal selection system, I will elevate Gwangju's school meal program to the highest level in the nation."