From This Year, Third Graders to Receive 500,000 Won Voucher for After-School Program Enrollment

Ministry of Education Announces "2026 All-Community Elementary Care and Education Promotion Plan" on February 3
Expanding Care Support Beyond First and Second Graders
Addressing Care Gaps for Third Graders and Above Through "Educational Activities"

Starting this year, the government will provide third-grade elementary school students who wish to participate in after-school programs with a free voucher worth 500,000 won per year. This measure comes in response to concerns about a care gap that arises from third grade onward, as the "Neulbom School" program—which offers two hours of free education after regular classes—is focused mainly on first and second graders. However, recognizing that educational demand increases at this stage compared to childcare needs, the government has decided to support paid after-school classes instead.

On February 3, the Ministry of Education announced the "2026 All-Community Elementary Care and Education Promotion Plan" containing these details.

Since 2024, the Ministry of Education has been concentrating on alleviating the care gap for first and second graders through the Neulbom School policy. Beginning this year, the existing Neulbom School initiative will be expanded into the "All-Community Elementary Care and Education" policy, aiming to further reduce blind spots in care services. This aligns with President Lee Jaemyung's national agenda to expand after-school support and introduce all-community elementary care.

To this end, the Ministry of Education will provide a 500,000 won annual voucher for after-school programs to third-grade students who apply. This action reflects the higher demand for "educational activities" rather than care from third grade onward. The Ministry of Education plans to expand eligibility to fourth graders and above next year if participation in after-school programs among third graders reaches 60% as a result of this policy. Last year, the participation rate for third-grade after-school programs was 42.4%.

Additionally, to reduce the administrative burden on schools related to voucher management, six metropolitan and provincial education offices (Busan, Incheon, Sejong, North Chungcheong, North Jeolla, South Jeolla) will pilot a simple payment system (Zero Pay) starting in March. Other education offices will also develop their own voucher management plans. The ministry also plans to work with local universities and specialized institutions to provide after-school programs in underserved areas, thereby helping to reduce regional educational disparities.

Local governments and related ministries will also establish cooperative systems for elementary care and education in schools. Local governments will operate "Regional Elementary Care and Education Councils," while the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and Ministry of the Interior and Safety will run the "All-Community Elementary Care and Education Council" to provide support tailored to regional needs.

To address care and education blind spots in accordance with local circumstances, regional "All-Community Elementary Care and Education Models" will also be established. The "All-Community Care and Education Centers" (formerly hub-type Neulbom Centers), which provide care and education programs to students of local elementary schools, will see 15 new centers established this year (11 in Gyeonggi, 2 in South Chungcheong, 1 in Gwangju, and 1 in North Jeolla). As of September last year, 92 centers were operating nationwide, serving a total of 10,172 students from 533 schools.

In addition, the Ministry of Education will increase the number of staff supporting students' safe return home after care and education activities, expand the operation of children's school buses, and enhance compensation for off-campus safety accidents. In accordance with the "After-School Program Verification and Management Enhancement Plan" established in November last year, the ministry will also implement measures such as mandating educational neutrality for instructors and introducing new disqualification criteria for instructors as planned.

Minister of Education Choi Kyojin stated, "For the state to responsibly provide care and education that meets the needs of elementary students who wish to participate, schools and local communities must work together," adding, "We will thoroughly prepare the policy and provide detailed guidance so that the public can trust the state, local governments, and schools to take care of their children."

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