Gyeonggi Province to Support School Uniforms for Approximately 2,100 Students, Up to 300,000 Won Each

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Nohun] Gyeonggi Province and its municipalities are providing free school uniforms to new students in alternative educational institutions equivalent to high school level within and outside the province.

Gyeonggi Province, which was the first among metropolitan local governments last year to support school uniform costs for new students in alternative educational institutions equivalent to middle school level and new middle school students in other provinces, has decided to expand the support scope in its second year.

This year's support target includes approximately 2,180 new students in alternative educational institutions receiving education equivalent to first-year middle and high school level with residency registered in Gyeonggi Province, and new middle school students from other provinces and cities who have not received uniform support.

The support amount is up to 300,000 won per person, and guardians or parents can apply at community centers in their respective municipalities and cities with necessary documents such as school uniform purchase receipts and enrollment certificates to receive the uniform purchase cost in cash.

The total budget required for this project is 654 million won, with the province and municipalities each bearing 50 percent.

Kim Neung-sik, Director of the Lifelong Education Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, said, "Since most alternative educational institutions operate on a September semester, new students will likely start purchasing uniforms soon," and added, "We hope that Gyeonggi Province's comprehensive free school uniform support can help alleviate the burden on provincial parents' shoulders, which has become heavier due to COVID-19."