Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education Confirms 800 Million Won Increase in Next Year's Educational Welfare Budget: "Strengthening Support for Vulnerable Groups"

Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education Secures Educational Welfare Budget Despite Financial Difficulties
Up to 14.5 Million Won in Operating Expenses Per Project School

The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education (Superintendent: Lim Taehee) announced on December 26 that the final budget for operating expenses for schools participating in the 2026 Educational Welfare Priority Support Project has been set at 1,767 million won, an increase of 800 million won compared to the original budget proposal.

Exterior view of the Southern New Office of Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education. Provided by Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education

Previously, during the 2026 budget planning process, the office had allocated the operating expenses for the Educational Welfare Priority Support Project schools at about half the previous year's level, due to financial difficulties such as decreased revenue and increased fixed costs.

In response, school administrators, educational welfare workers, and parents in the field expressed the need for more comprehensive and robust support for students from vulnerable groups. This issue was discussed during the review process by the Gyeonggi Provincial Council's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts.

As a result, the operating budget for project schools was confirmed to increase by 800 million won, and support for each of the 151 schools is expected to rise from the previous range of 6 to 7 million won per school to between 11 and 14.5 million won per school.

Additionally, the office has confirmed a 350 million won increase over the previous year for major educational welfare projects, including establishing an educational welfare safety net for schools without assigned educational welfare workers and operating a customized integrated support system for students through the education support office.

An official from the office stated, "We are grateful to those who recognized the importance of educational welfare projects despite the challenging financial situation," and added, "Based on the finalized budget, we will continue to provide stable support for students from vulnerable groups in schools."