GEPIK Contract Information
Key terms from the official 2026 Gyeonggi-do Office of Education employment contract for native English teachers — duration, working hours, teaching load, holidays, and sick leave.
1 Yr
Contract Length
22 Hrs
Teaching / Week
Mon–Fri
8 hrs/day, set by school
11
Paid Sick Days
The GEPIK contract is a standard 1-year employment agreement issued by the Gyeonggi-do Office of Education. Contracts are renewable with the same school for additional years, with meaningful salary increases and a ₩2M Renewal Allowance for returning teachers. These are the six key terms every GEPIK teacher should understand before signing.
Key Contract Terms
Contract Term
1 YearAll GEPIK positions are for one (1) year in length. Contracts are renewable for a second or third year with the same school (with a ₩2,000,000 Renewal Allowance for those who re-sign at the same school).
Working Days & Hours
Mon–Fri · 8 hours a dayGEPIK teachers work Monday through Friday, 8 hours a day including a lunch break. The GEPIK handbook leaves the exact start and end times to each school — typically 8:30 or 8:40 AM to 4:30 or 4:40 PM.
Teaching Hours Per Week
22 hours / week maxGEPIK teachers are required to teach a maximum of 22 hours per week. Remaining hours during the workday are reserved for lesson planning, co-teacher meetings, and school activities. Any teaching hours that exceed 22 are subject to overtime pay.
National Holidays & Special Observances
Paid offGEPIK teachers do not work on Korean public holidays (marked as 'Red Days' on Korean calendars) or on Labor Day (May 1). These are paid days off in addition to your paid leave. School-designated closure days, including the school founding day, are not automatic days off: to take them off, you use paid leave.
Paid Sick Days
Up to 11 days per contractUnder the 2026 GEPIK contract (Art. 16), teachers are allotted up to 11 paid sick days (working days) per contract term, with the school's approval. The first 3 sick days of your contract year need no medical certificate, whether they are consecutive or separate days. Any sick leave beyond that 3-day total requires a doctor's certificate, submitted on your first day back at work. The 11 days are allotted per contract term. (The handbook's rule that unused days don't carry into a renewal contract is written for paid vacation.)
Paid Vacation
26 working days per contractGEPIK teachers receive 26 working days of paid annual leave per contract term (standard contract Art. 15), generally taken during the summer (August) and winter (January) school breaks. Weekends, Korean public holidays and Labor Day (May 1) are not counted against leave days.
Contract FAQ
Q.Is GEPIK a 1-year contract only?
The base contract is 1 year, but most teachers renew for a second or third year. Renewing at the same school earns you a ₩2,000,000 Renewal Allowance and places you on a higher salary tier (e.g. Level 1+ at ₩2.5M). Many GEPIK teachers teach 2-5 years consecutively.
Q.What does a typical GEPIK workday look like?
Arrive at the start time your school sets (often 8:30 or 8:40 AM). Teach 3-5 classes during the morning and early afternoon. Use your 'deskwarming' hours between classes for lesson planning, co-teacher meetings, and preparing materials. Take a ~1-hour lunch with staff. Finish 8 hours after you started (often 4:30 or 4:40 PM). Total: about 4-5 teaching hours per day, with the rest reserved for prep work.
Q.Can I take vacation outside of summer/winter breaks?
Usually not. GEPIK leave is normally taken during the summer (August) or winter (January) break periods. Taking leave during the semester requires the principal's approval and must not disrupt classes; it is mainly allowed when the break periods are too short to use all your leave.
Q.What happens if I teach more than 22 hours per week?
Teaching hours beyond 22 per week are subject to overtime pay under the official GEPIK contract. This is uncommon, as schools try to keep teachers within their standard hours — but if it happens, you are entitled to additional compensation.
Q.Can I break my GEPIK contract early?
Breaking a GEPIK contract early is possible but not recommended. It typically forfeits your Exit Allowance and severance pay, and may impact future visa sponsorship in Korea. If there is a serious reason (medical, family emergency), discuss it with your Korvia recruiter and school before acting.
Q.Do I get paid during national holidays?
Yes. Korean public holidays, Labor Day (May 1) and weekends are paid days off. School-designated closure days, including the school founding day, are not: to take them off, you use paid leave. Your full monthly salary is paid regardless of how many holidays fall in a given month.
Review the Contract Before You Sign
Korvia provides a sample contract and line-by-line review before you sign. We've placed thousands of teachers in Gyeonggi since 2008.