Kindergartens to implement state-run accounting system

By Kim Hyun-bin

The government will make it mandatory for large private kindergartens to implement Edufine, the state-run accounting system, starting March 1 in an effort to improve their accounting transparency.

Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae

The move comes after a nationwide audit revealed widespread corruption among private kindergartens, such as accounting fraud and budget misappropriation.

The new system will be applied to 581 kindergartens that have over 200 children enrolled. The government plans to apply the system to all kindergartens by March 2020.

“We will actively communicate with kindergarten operators to continuously enhance Edufine and prepare for the second phase implementation of the system that will include small-sized private kindergartens,” Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae said.

Edufine allows the government to monitor all transactions made in real-time including income, financial performance and balance accounts. Currently all public kindergartens to high schools use the state-run system.

After the revised law takes effect in March, kindergartens refusing to adopt the system will face administrative actions, such as ordering to reduce the entrance quota.

“The system will secure transparency of kindergarten management,” Yoo said. “Introducing it will help kindergartens enforce their duty as educational institutes and regain public trust.”

Ahead of the implementation in March, the education authorities will provide support measures for private kindergartens. Up to six Edufine instructors will be assigned to each city and province and provide lectures and hold training sessions for private kindergarten workers. The Korea Education and Research Information Service will also operate a call center to answer questions about the Edufine program.