기장군, 저소득층 학생을 위한 맞춤형 교육 지원 사업 시작: 체육복비와 수학여행 비용 안내

Gijang County in Busan is expanding a comprehensive, tailored support program designed to reduce education costs for low-income households and close gaps in the local welfare system.

On March 13, the county announced it will roll out the \"2026 Basic Livelihood Security Recipients: Gym Uniform and School Trip Expense Support Program,\" intended to ensure every student has equal access to education regardless of household income.

Funded entirely by the county, the program aims to help students participate fully in school life.

First, the county will cover the cost of gym uniforms for new elementary and high school students from households receiving basic livelihood benefits. Middle school students are excluded from this program because the regional education office already pays their gym uniform costs in full.

The support amounts are ₩100,000 (about $75) total for elementary students' winter and summer uniforms, and ₩110,000 (about $83) for high school students. After verifying eligibility, the county plans to deposit the winter uniform allowance into guardians' accounts in April and the summer allowance in May.

The county will also subsidize school trip expenses to help create lasting memories for students. Funds may be used to purchase clothing, shoes, or bags, or to cover on-site costs. The support amount is ₩150,000 (about $113) for elementary and middle school students, and ₩250,000 (about $188) for high school students. Applications are accepted year-round at local eup/myeon administrative welfare centers.

Jeong Jong-bok, county mayor of Gijang, said, \"Gym uniforms and school trips provide students with meaningful school experiences. We will continue to pursue education and welfare policies that reflect feedback from those on the front lines as we work to make Gijang a better place to raise children.\"

Alongside its education initiatives, the county is strengthening the local food safety net. The Gijang-eup Community Welfare Council has launched a side-dish delivery program called \"Warm Jeong-chan\" to provide prepared side dishes to low-income households.

Now in its fifth year, the program operates with ₩8,000,000 (about $6,000) in funding from the Kori Nuclear Power Plant headquarters and ₩3,000,000 (about $2,250) in donations from local residents, for a total of ₩11,000,000 (about $8,250).

From this month through December, volunteers will deliver carefully prepared side dishes twice a month to 20 households that are isolated from family or have mobility challenges and face the risk of missing meals.

The delivery visits also include welfare checks on recipients, helping to reinforce the safety net for vulnerable residents.

Kwon Myo-yeon, chair of the Gijang-eup Community Welfare Council, said, \"The Warm Jeong-chan program uses food as a way to check on neighbors — it's a meaningful effort. We will expand local welfare initiatives to strengthen residents' safety nets.\"