Unified Contribution Rate for Free Meals in Incheon... Eco-friendly Meals Supported for All Kindergartens and Schools

Incheon City 35%, City Office of Education 42%, Gun·Gu 23%

Free School Meals at Dongincheon Middle School
[Photo by Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The budget contribution rates for free school meals in Incheon, which varied by kindergartens, elementary, middle, high schools, and special schools, have been unified, and eco-friendly free school meals will be provided to all kindergartens and schools.

Incheon City announced on the 8th that it has agreed to share the free school meal budget of 213.1 billion KRW for next year at the rates of 35% by the city, 42% by the City Office of Education, and 23% by the districts and counties.

The free meal beneficiaries include 360,000 students from kindergartens, elementary, middle, high, and special schools, with the city bearing 74.6 billion KRW, the City Office of Education 89.5 billion KRW, and the districts and counties 49 billion KRW respectively.

With the city, the Office of Education, and the districts/counties supporting all schools in Incheon at the same rate, true universal educational welfare is realized, and the simplified support system is expected to make meal service operations at frontline schools much easier.

Previously, private kindergartens shared the budget at rates of 50%, 30%, and 20%, and elementary and middle schools at 30%, 40%, and 30% among the City Office of Education, Incheon City, and districts/counties.

In the case of high schools, the City Office of Education was completely excluded, and the city and districts/counties split the budget at 70% and 30% respectively.

Because of this, conflicts arose annually during the negotiation of contribution rates between the City Office of Education and the city/districts/counties, which was pointed out to affect the stability of the free school meal policy.

The eco-friendly agricultural product price difference support project, which was only carried out for schools that applied, will be expanded to all kindergartens and schools in Incheon starting next year.

The budget for the price difference of excellent eco-friendly agricultural products, which compensates for the difference between the cost of eco-friendly ingredients and general ingredients, will be included in the free school meal budget (food expenses) and operated accordingly, and the supported items will be expanded to all eco-friendly certified products.

Mayor Park Namchun stated, "With this, Incheon has become a leading city in universal educational welfare that simultaneously realizes free education, free uniforms, and free meals," and added, "Since a food plan research project to prepare for the operation of a public meal integrated support center is currently underway, we will continue to strive to provide school meals that satisfy students and parents."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.