전북특별자치도가 도시-농촌 간 교육격차 해소와 농촌 활성화를 위한 ‘농촌유학’ 제도 내실화에 나선다.

도는 24일 도청 영상회의실에서 ‘2025 전북특별자치도 농촌유학협의회’를 열고, 총 15명의 위원을 공식 위촉했다. 협의회는 「전북특별자치도 농산어촌유학 지원 조례」에 따른 자문기구로, 김종훈 경제부지사가 의장을 맡는다.

전북 농촌유학은 2022년 전북도, 도교육청, 서울시교육청, 재경전북도민회 간 협약을 통해 본격화됐으며, 민선 8기 대표 교육협치 정책으로 자리잡았다. 초기 27명으로 시작한 유학생 수는 현재 204명으로 늘었고, 도내 10개 시군 28개 학교에서 교육과 농촌 생활을 병행하고 있다.

전북도는 올해 총 44억7,600만 원을 투입해 유학경비 지원, 특화프로그램 운영, 가족체류형 거주시설 조성, 센터형 유학 지원 등 4대 사업을 추진한다. 유학생 1인당 월 20만 원의 유학경비를 지원하며, 지역 맞춤형 생태·문화 체험 프로그램도 운영된다.

이날 협의회에서는 유학생 가족 만족도 제고와 지역 정착 유도 방안 등이 논의됐다.

김종훈 경제부지사는 “농촌유학은 교육·정주·공동체 회복을 함께 실현하는 통합형 정책”이라며 “아이들이 자연에서 성장하고 지역이 활력을 되찾을 수 있도록 정책 완성도를 높이겠다”고 밝혔다.

Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province is moving forward with the substantialization of the 'rural study abroad' system to bridge the education gap between urban and rural areas and revitalize rural communities.

On the 24th, the province held the '2025 Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Rural Study Abroad Consultative Council' in the provincial government's video conference room and officially appointed 15 members as council members. The council, established in accordance with the "Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Rural and Fisheries Study Abroad Support Ordinance," is chaired by Vice Governor of Economic Affairs Kim Jong-hoon.

Jeonbuk's rural study abroad program was launched in 2022 through an agreement between Jeonbuk Province, the provincial education office, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, and the Jeonbuk Residents' Council, and has become a flagship policy of the 8th local government education cooperation policy. Starting with 27 students initially, the number of study abroad students has now increased to 204, who are balancing education and rural life at 28 schools in 10 cities and counties within the province.

This year, Jeonbuk Province is investing a total of 44.76 billion won in supporting study abroad expenses, operating specialized programs, establishing family residence-type housing facilities, and supporting center-based study abroad programs. They provide monthly study abroad expenses of 200,000 won per student and also operate region-specific ecological and cultural experience programs.

During the council meeting, discussions were held on improving the satisfaction of study abroad students' families and promoting ways to settle in the region.

Vice Governor Kim Jong-hoon stated, "Rural study abroad is an integrated policy that realizes education, settlement, and community recovery together," adding, "We will enhance the policy completeness to allow children to grow in nature and revitalize the region."