Thank you for your many years of generosity toward KKOOM’s Pre-School Scholarship Program, and our “Early education for Korean toddlers” project on GlobalGiving. Your support has helped young children in Korea access early childhood education during a time when government funding was limited. Today, we are writing to share an important update: we will be formally closing this program.
Why We Are Closing This Program
Over the past several years, the Korean government has significantly increased its investment in early childhood education. Beginning in July 2025, all 5-year-olds can attend kindergarten or daycare with full government financial support, and this expansion will continue until preschool is free for all children ages 3 to 5 by 2027.
This shift means that the tuition and early education costs children’s homes once had to cover are now funded directly by the Ministry of Education. As the Ministry explained, this policy represents “a crucial step toward equal opportunity at the starting line of life.” (Korea Herald, July 29, 2025)
This is encouraging news for Korea’s children, and it means that KKOOM can now responsibly redirect resources to areas with greater current need.
Our Impact From 2007 to 2025
Thanks to your support, KKOOM was able to fill an important national gap for nearly two decades. Together, we achieved the following:
- Twenty preschool scholars received tuition support at ages two and three.
- Toddlers living in children’s homes gained equal access to early education during critical developmental years.
- KKOOM provided early learning opportunities before government support expanded, giving children the strong start they deserved.
We are deeply grateful to every donor who helped make this possible.
What This Means for GlobalGiving Supporters
If you’ve been giving through our GlobalGiving preschool project, your donations will now strengthen our Hagwon Scholarship Program, helping children access the tutoring and academic support they often can’t receive elsewhere.
What Is a Hagwon Scholarship?
Hagwons are private tutoring academies that many students in Korea rely on for academic support, enrichment, or college preparation. Youth living in children’s homes often cannot afford these classes, even though they play a vital role in staying on pace with their peers.
KKOOM’s Hagwon Scholarship Fund provides academic tutoring, after-school enrichment, and support for students who need additional educational help. This ensures continuity of learning support from early childhood through adolescence. We will continue to share updates through this project throughout the year.
More Ways to Support KKOOM
We’d love to stay connected with you. Here are a few of the programs where your support can make a meaningful difference:
With Gratitude
Thank you for standing with KKOOM and the children we serve. Your generosity has shaped the lives of countless young learners and contributed to a more equitable educational landscape in Korea. We truly could not do this without you.