GOE Contract Information
Duration, working hours, teaching load, vacation, sick days, renewal — the key terms of the Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education employment contract.
12 mo
Contract Duration
22 hr
Max Teaching / Week
8–4:40
Daily Working Hours
26
Vacation Days
The GOE contract is a 12-month employment agreementwith the Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education. Working days run Monday–Friday, 8:40 AM to 4:40 PM, with up to 22 teaching hours per week — any additional hours are paid as overtime. GOE's 26-day vacation allocation is one of the most generous in Korean public school teaching.Source: Official GOE 2026 employment contract.
Contract Terms at a Glance
| Term | Details |
|---|---|
| Contract Duration | 12 months (1 year) |
| Working Days | Monday – Friday |
| Working Hours | 8:40 AM – 4:40 PM (8 hours daily) |
| Teaching Load | Up to 22 teaching hours/week · overtime paid above 22 |
| Class Duration | Elementary 40 min · Middle 45 min · High 50 min |
| Sick Days | Up to 11 paid sick days per contract (doctor's note for consecutive days) |
| Paid Vacation | 26 days per contract · typically August (summer) and January (winter) |
| National Holidays | Korean national holidays + school-designated days (e.g. founding day) paid off |
| Salary | ~₩2.1M – ₩2.7M/month depending on qualification level (see GOE Salary Levels) |
| Housing | Free furnished single-occupancy apartment OR ₩400,000/month stipend |
| Health Insurance | National Health Insurance with 50% employer contribution |
| Severance Pay | ~1 month's salary per completed contract (required by Korean labor law) |
| Renewal Allowance | ₩2,000,000 if renewing at the same school (₩700K + ₩1.3M split) |
| Early Termination | Entrance Allowance (₩1.3M) must be repaid if leaving within first 6 months |
| Orientation | Short GOE onboarding · accommodation + meals provided · unpaid |
Source: GOE 2026 employment contract. Contact your Korvia advisor for a sample contract review before signing.
GOE-Specific Notes
Things every incoming GOE teacher should understand before signing.
Overtime Pay
Any teaching hours beyond the 22-hour weekly cap are compensated at overtime rates. Track your hours — it's your protection if a dispute arises.
Most Vacation of Any Region
GOE's 26-day paid vacation is among the most generous in Korean public school programs (SMOE gives 21, most EPIK regions give ~20). Use this when comparing programs.
Early Termination Clause
If you leave the contract within the first 6 months, you must repay the ₩1,300,000 Entrance Allowance. After 6 months, no repayment is required.
Renewal Benefits
Renewing at the same school unlocks the ₩2M Renewal Allowance AND a salary level bump — typically making your second year 10-15% more lucrative than your first.
Contract FAQ
Q.What happens if I teach more than 22 hours in a week?
Any hours above 22 are paid as overtime. Your co-teacher and school coordinator are expected to track your hours, but keep your own log — it's your best protection if a discrepancy arises.
Q.Can I take vacation outside August and January?
Vacation is allocated during school recess (summer August, winter January). Outside those windows, requests depend on school discretion and are typically declined. Plan major trips around these two breaks.
Q.What if I want to quit before the year is over?
You can leave, but if you terminate within the first 6 months, you must repay the ₩1,300,000 Entrance Allowance. After 6 months, no repayment is required. Severance pay is forfeited if you leave before the full 12 months.
Q.Do I get paid during school summer/winter breaks?
Yes. Your monthly salary is paid year-round for the full 12-month contract — including during summer and winter breaks. You'll have 'desk warming' days where you're at school without students, and may be asked to run English camps.
Ready to Sign Your GOE Contract?
Korvia reviews your GOE contract line by line — overtime clauses, renewal terms, termination conditions. Free support from application through arrival in Gyeongnam.