"60,000 Won for a Trip to Gangneung?" Field Trip Cost Controversy... "Let Me Explain as a Current Teacher"

"Rising Costs Inevitable Even With Lowest Bid Selection"
"Teachers Preparing and Supervising Field Trips Also Face Heavy Burdens"

As the cost of middle school field trips in Korea exceeds 600,000 won per student, controversy is spreading over the financial burden on parents. In response, a current teacher has come forward to directly explain the cost structure and on-site circumstances.

Students on a school trip are making joyful memories at Anmok Beach in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Recently, a post was shared on an online community stating that the cost for a three-day, two-night school trip to the Gangneung area in Gangwon Province amounts to 606,000 won per person. This amount includes vehicle expenses, accommodation fees, meals, activity fees, safety personnel costs, and operating expenses. While some criticized the cost as "excessive for a domestic trip," others responded that "the breakdown makes it understandable."

As the debate intensified, an individual identified as a current teacher, referred to as Mr./Ms. A, stated in the online community, "Let me speak from the perspective of a teacher who prepares and executes school trips."

According to Mr./Ms. A, a school trip is planned after conducting a survey of students and parents a year in advance, and it does not proceed if the approval rate does not exceed 85%. Afterwards, a planning committee consisting of teachers and parents is formed, and a travel agency is selected through an open competitive bidding process. Mr./Ms. A emphasized the fairness of the procedure, stating, "Private contracts are absolutely not allowed."

A school trip guide recently revealed through an online community. Screenshot from online community

Most agencies are selected based on the lowest-bid system. Mr./Ms. A explained, "Because there is so much discussion about price, the lowest bid is ultimately chosen. We try to minimize the cost as much as possible within a reasonable range."

The primary reason for rising costs is the expansion of safety personnel. Mr./Ms. A stated, "Since the Sewol ferry disaster in 2014, safety regulations have been strengthened, and professional staff must now be assigned. For a group of 200, 8 to 10 safety personnel are required, and considering day and night shifts, this number doubles." The teacher added that the local office of education provides a subsidy of about 300,000 won per person, but in some regions or situations, there may be no support at all.

Mr./Ms. A also highlighted the significant burden on teachers on-site. They must adjust their teaching schedules for preliminary visits and are responsible for student safety throughout the trip. "Even though hundreds of people are traveling together at the minimum possible cost, even minor discomforts can result in complaints," the teacher said, adding, "If satisfaction survey results after the trip are low, it can be deeply discouraging." Furthermore, Mr./Ms. A stressed, "The suspicion that teachers receive kickbacks is not true. Teachers also pay their own expenses and are involved in supervising students."

This is not the first time controversy has erupted over field trip costs. Recently, increased prices, the expansion of experiential programs, and higher safety costs have combined to push the price for a three-day, two-night trip to Jeju Island to 600,000–700,000 won, while overseas trips can reach 1.5 million to 2 million won per student. In the past, some specialized high schools even had overseas trips costing more than 4 million won.

Mr./Ms. A stated, "It is inevitable that costs will increase as the quality improves. School trips are an educational activity that leaves important memories for students." Experts also emphasize that, beyond the simple cost debate, increased public support and improvements to the system are needed.

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