Gyeonggi Province to Inspect Municipal Programs from Sept. 15 to Prevent Meal Gaps for At-Risk Children

[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Park No-hun] As elementary, middle, and high schools in the Seoul metropolitan area transition to full remote learning through the 20th, Gyeonggi Province will conduct inspections of the "At-Risk Children Meal Support Program" targeting 31 municipalities from September 15 to 18 to prevent meal gaps for at-risk children.

The "Gyeonggi Province At-Risk Children Meal Support Program" provides meals to children under 18 at risk of missing meals due to poverty or parental job loss, with costs shared by the province and municipalities. For school-age children, lunch during the school year is provided through school meals funded by the Provincial Office of Education, while breakfast, dinner, and meals during breaks are supported by local governments with at least one meal per day depending on the child's circumstances.

Amid concerns about meal gaps for at-risk children as school meals were suspended due to COVID-19, the province has coordinated with the Provincial Office of Education since April to provide lunch in the same manner as during breaks. The province explained that, as remote learning is expected to continue in the second half of the year, it determined that preventing meal gaps for at-risk children is urgent, leading to this inspection.

The inspection will cover ▲proper provision of lunch on non-school days during the school year for at-risk children ▲current status of publicity efforts to identify at-risk children in blind spots ▲establishment of support measures in preparation for the Chuseok holiday ▲status of determination and redetermination of meal support recipients ▲budget execution status ▲publicity status and on-site verification regarding the expansion of affiliated merchants for the G-Dream Card (children's meal card) implemented from August 31.

Park Geun-gyun, director of the Child Care Division of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "We will respond thoroughly with municipalities to ensure that at-risk children do not miss meals due to the spread of COVID-19," and added, "We ask for your continued attention to identify at-risk children in blind spots."

Meanwhile, applications for at-risk children meal support can be submitted year-round at the eup, myeon, or dong administrative office under the jurisdiction of the child's registered residence or through the online portal Bokjiro (online.bokjiro.go.kr).