Gwangju Office Of Education Expands “Kkum Dreamy” School Expense Support To All Middle And High School Students

Exterior view of Gwangju Office of Education.

The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education announced on February 14 that it will expand the beneficiaries of the “Kkum Dreamy” program, which provides educational expenses needed for school life, to include all middle and high school students.

The Kkum Dreamy program was first implemented last year for ninth graders and twelfth graders. Last year, it was expanded to include eighth and ninth graders, and eleventh and twelfth graders. Starting in March this year, support will be provided so that all middle and high school students, including single-child families that had previously been excluded, can benefit from Kkum Dreamy.

The amount of support per student per year is 600,000 won for middle school students and 1 million won for high school students. After deducting items already supported by schools, such as school trip expenses and entrance preparation funds, the remaining amount will be provided as individual voucher points. The points can be used for a wide range of educational expenses, including textbooks and books, school supplies, and university application fees.

The city office of education expects that expanding the Kkum Dreamy program will help stabilize students’ school life, reduce the educational cost burden on parents, and strengthen educational equity.

In addition, it plans to actively carry out promotional activities so that not a single student misses out on Kkum Dreamy benefits, while also making every effort to manage the program so that it is operated in line with its original purpose. From March, a dedicated website will be opened to systematically provide information such as application schedule and procedures, eligibility, and available merchants. In cases where misuse is identified, the office will take strong measures in accordance with established criteria, including clawbacks and restrictions on use.

Superintendent Lee Jungseon said, “The expansion of Kkum Dreamy beneficiaries is the realization of universal educational welfare for all children,” adding, “We will responsibly push forward so that basic educational expenses needed for school life are supported and students can broaden their learning opportunities.”