Gyeonggi Province supports foreign children’s kindergarten tuition

A concern that always follows those who children is ‘tuition.

A concern that always follows those who children is ‘tuition.

Even the basic education expenses required to receive a good education and advance to higher education levels are a huge burden on the household.

Every semester, you discover expenses you have to cover as well as support you may be able receive from the country.

You may be aware that even citizens of other countries who are residing in Korea can receive tuition support for compulsory education.

Although 'kindergarten tuition' was previously excluded from such support, foreigners can also receive support starting from this coming semester.

ⓒGyeonggi Province

With the number of multicultural families in Korea increasing, a system is being established to address their needs. Even if you are not a Korean citizen, the government provides support for elementary, middle, and high school tuition so as to guarantee the basic right to education.

The plan is to expand such support to include kindergarten as well.

In addition to Seoul, Gyeonggi Province is also providing tuition support, starting with 4 cities.

In March last year, in cooperation with the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, the governments of Bucheon City, Ansan City, Siheung City, and Pocheon City started providing tuition support for foreign children.

This is good news for foreigners living in Gyeonggi Province.

Last year, 684 children of foreign nationality in Seoul did not receive tuition support. There are also those who say that foreigners should be given equal opportunities regarding childcare as their obligations, such as tax burdens, are similar.

Starting this year, even non-Korean nationals can receive the same educational benefits as Korean children without discrimination. This marks a move by each local government in Gyeonggi Province to prevent blind spots in social welfare.

“Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education expands budget to broaden benefit range”

This year, in line with last year, there will be an opportunity to receive more support due to budgetary expansion by the Office of Education. The budget has increased to KRW 2.4 billion and is being allocated so that each local government can increase participation.

Existing tuition support for Korean children is provided to children aged 3 to 5 regardless of household income level. For public kindergartens, one can receive up to KRW 150,000 per month; for private kindergartens, one can receive up to KRW 350,000. The same applies to foreign children in kindergarten.

“How do you apply and what are the criteria?”

ⓒGyeonggi Province

You should first check the policies of the locality in which you are residing. Since the standards and budgets of each city and provincial education office are different, it is best to first determine if you are eligible to receive support.

As for the application process, you just need to submit an application form and supporting documents such as an alien registration card to the kindergarten when registering for the new semester.

There isn’t a requirement for the number of years of residence, but children with dual nationality, including Korean nationality, who are already receiving kindergarten tuition support are excluded.

In line with Korea’s keen enthusiasm for education, it is apparent that various efforts are being made to equitably guarantee the basic right to education in cooperation with the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education.

Observers are looking forward to seeing how the status quo will develop nationally, following this initial step by Gyeonggi Province.