The government will set up an integrated farming and fisheries development plan to balance the gap between education facilities in urban and rural areas by the end of the year. The government will set up a "farming-fisheries area education development committee" under the Education and Human Resources Development Ministry next month and review issues such as how to attract well-qualified teachers and education programs for various sections of the rural community such as the elderly. The Agriculture and Forestry Ministry said Saturday it will set up a program to secure stable livelihoods for households dependant
on the farming and fisheries sector and also improve education and medical facilities in those areas. The government will provide 15.6 billion won to pay school fees for children aged 5 years belonging to such households and expand funds to cover expenses of middle and high school students in the region. The government will also take measures to allow 669 high schools to decide which students can enroll and manage their own education programs. It will also offer support to build residential houses for teachers and for renovating existing accommodations.