"The grade 6 graduation trip is completely free... of course we have to go."
Recently, a parent surnamed A posted a photo of a home communication notice on social media (SNS) that has garnered attention. The title is '2025 academic year overseas experience activity demand survey.' It contains details about students visiting France and Italy for an 8-day, 7-night schedule. The cost of travel packages with a similar itinerary exceeds 6 million won, but the amount students at this school have to pay is '0 won.'
In this manner, small public elementary schools in rural areas, which are at risk of closure due to a declining school-age population, are utilizing 'free overseas school trips' as a means of attracting students. While there have been cases of school trips to nearby Japan or China, the offer to send students to Europe for 'free' is a radical proposition. Because of this, it is said that students living far away are transferring to the school.
◇Basically, the principle of 'revenue burden'... 'free school trip' funded by special resources
The school where parent A's child attends is Gadok Elementary School located in Byeongam-ri, Gadeok-myeon, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk. It is planning a school trip to Paris, France and Venice, Florence, and Rome, Italy in September. According to Gadok Elementary, the expenses per student are about 6 million won, but there is no burden on the parents. Parent A noted on SNS that "because it is a small school, there is really a lot of support," adding that "transportation (commuting bus) is supported, so I transferred my child from another school (13 km away)."
There are also such schools. Galsan Elementary School in Sangchon-ri, Galsan-myeon, Hongseong-gun, Chungnam sent 17 students in grades 5 and 6 to Singapore for 3 nights and 5 days in June, spending about 1.9 million won per student. Geumban Elementary School in Hyeoncheon-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongnam will take 10 students in grades 3 to 6 on an 'overseas backpack career exploration' trip for 8 days and 11 nights in November. The destination is Ethiopia, and the cost per student is about 3 million won, including airfare of 1.29 million won. However, parents at both schools did not pay any costs.
Such 'free school trips' are not common. While schools partially support costs, the principle of 'revenue burden' generally places the financial responsibility on parents. Costs include accommodation, transportation, entrance fees to tourist attractions, on-site guide fees, preliminary survey expenses, and travel insurance, which are set at prices higher than typical package tours. Thus, most public elementary schools take school trips within the country, with trips to places as far as Jeju Island.
◇Thanks to free overseas school trips, "4 students secured for next year's enrollment"
Schools that send students on free overseas trips utilized special budgets. Gadok Elementary and Galsan Elementary covered costs with the 'appropriate-sized school promotion fund' provided for a certain period following school consolidations. This is a budget supported by the education office to ensure that schools can maintain appropriate sizes. An official from the Chungnam Education Office noted, "School trips are included in that range." Geumban Elementary raised 30-40% of the school trip expenses by selling goats raised as part of the educational curriculum, with the remaining costs covered by alumni associations and local sponsorship.
These schools are effectively attracting students through free overseas school trips to prevent closures. The entire student body at Geumban Elementary was 12 in the 2023 academic year, but this year it has increased to 19. Excluding graduates, there has been an increase of 15 students. An official at Geumban Elementary commented, "Inquiry about transfers continues, and we secured 4 students for next year's enrollment." An official at Gadok Elementary, which has a total of 28 students, noted, "There has been an effect of transferring students," adding that "parents and students alike take pride in the overseas school trip."
◇Concerns about sustainability... "Fundamental measures must also be considered"
However, there are voices of concern about the sustainability of free overseas school trips. The appropriate-sized school promotion fund is provided for about 10 years after the school consolidations. After that, it may not be possible to send students on overseas trips for free.
Professor Kim Bong-seok from the Department of Elementary Education at Korea National University of Education noted, "As there is much support for small schools, there might be competitive benchmarking for overseas school trips," adding that "fundamental measures that can save small schools should also be considered."