Nowon-gu Expands Home Learning Support for Children of Single-Parent Families

1:1 Customized Home Learning Support for Legally Defined Low-Income Single-Parent Children... Support Target Expanded to Age 12, Increased Support Amount Reduces Self-Payment, Up to Two Subjects Allowed

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is expanding and implementing the ‘Home Learning Support Project’ for children from low-income single-parent families.

The Home Learning Support Project provides weekly one-on-one home visits for legally low-income single-parent families. It started in March to address educational gaps and alleviate educational inequality caused by the prolonged social distancing measures.

Recently, the district conducted two surveys targeting single-parent families eligible for the project and households currently participating in the learning program to explore more efficient support measures. The willingness to participate was high at 75%, but many still felt burdened by learning costs and requested improvements such as expanding the number of supported subjects.

In response, the district decided to actively reflect residents’ demands in the project and expand it by changing the eligibility, supported subjects, and support amount so that beneficiaries can truly feel the effects of the program.

First, to allow more children to benefit, the eligibility was changed from children aged 4 to 10 in legally low-income single-parent families to children aged 4 to 12.

The supported subjects were also expanded from only one basic subject among Korean, English, Math, Social Studies, and Science to allow applications for up to two subjects.

Additionally, the support amount was raised from 22,000 KRW to 32,000 KRW. As a result, the learner’s share of the average 35,000 KRW per subject learning fee will be significantly reduced from 13,000?20,000 KRW to 3,000?10,000 KRW, greatly easing the financial burden on single-parent families.

Single-parent families wishing to receive home learning support can apply at the local community service center in their jurisdiction. Depending on eligibility, the learning material provider will contact the family individually to confirm the schedule and conduct home lessons. Video learning may also be combined depending on the COVID-19 situation.

The district plans to continue conducting satisfaction surveys to develop the project according to the diverse needs of single-parent families and ensure effective support.

Alongside this, since 2015, Nowon-gu has established the Ordinance on Support for Single-Parent Families in Seoul Nowon-gu to provide a legal basis for support and has been implementing various projects such as providing heating and cooling cost support four times a year and operating cultural experience and performance viewing programs twice a year.

Moreover, the Nowon Healthy Family and Multicultural Family Support Center operates parent education and relationship-building programs to strengthen the capabilities of single-parent families raising elementary school students.

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “We decided to expand learning support so that children from low-income single-parent families, who face relatively poor educational conditions, do not suffer academic stress due to educational gaps. We will continue to prepare various support programs to ensure no child is left behind.”

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