In related education news, local middle school students get free school uniforms beginning this year.

The Provincial Office of Education will extend the free school uniform policy to cover high school students next year.

Todd Thacker reports.


The Provincial Office of Education has announced a new policy on free school uniforms.

[slug] Free uniforms for middle school students from this year

Middle school students receive free school uniforms beginning this year.

The policy will be extended to high school students in 2020.

Both winter and summer school uniforms will be provided.

[slug] Subsidy does not apply to schools without uniforms

The government subsidy for school uniforms will apply to all public, private, and special schools with a dress code. Those without uniforms will not qualify for the program.

Recording
Lee Gang-sik / Section Chief, Jeju PoE Safety and Welfare
Each school will purchase and distribute uniforms to students.
[녹취 이강식 / 제주도교육청 안전복지과장 ]
"학교가 주관 구매하는 방식으로 구매하고 이것을 학생들에게 현물로 지급하는 방식으로 무상교복지원이 이뤄질 예정입니다."

Each school will choose a school uniform maker through a process of a public bidding.

[slug] \4.3 bln to be spent every year

Every year, 4.3 billion won is to be allotted for the free school uniform policy to provide clothing to students starting their first year of middle school and high school.

[slug] This year’s Grade 7 students to receive uniform fee retroactively

The education office will retroactively apply the policy to students starting middle school this year.

Each student will receive 350,000 won by the end of next month.

The education office had originally planned to apply the policy from the year 2020.

However, since the provincial council made an additional allocation in this year’s budget for those starting middle school, the policy will take effect now.

Recording
Lee Gang-sik / Section Chief, Jeju PoE Safety and Welfare
Grade 7 students will be reimbursed for their uniforms this year.
[녹취 이강식 / 제주도교육청 안전복지과장 ]
"이미 중학교 신입생들이 교복을 구입한 상황이어서 올해는 한시적으로 현금으로 지급을 할 수 밖에 없는 상황입니다."

[Reporter] Todd Thacker
[Camera] Ko Moon-su

In total, some 10 provincial offices of education nationwide, including those in Busan, Incheon, and Sejong have started, or plan to institute, a policy of free school uniforms.

Todd Thacker, KCTV