National Provincial Education Superintendents, "Kindergartens Are Also Schools... Must Be Operated Fairly and Transparently"

Demand for the Establishment of a Deliberative Body for Private Kindergarten Operation Committees

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The nationwide city and provincial superintendents of education have collectively welcomed the passage of the 'Kindergarten Three Acts (Private School Act, Early Childhood Education Act, School Meal Act)' through the National Assembly. They emphasized that since kindergartens are also schools, their operation must be fair and transparent.

The National Association of City and Provincial Superintendents of Education issued a press release on the 14th, stating, "Although it is regrettable that the law to increase the accounting transparency of private kindergartens receiving national support funds, government subsidies, and parental contributions has only now been passed, it is a proper step in the right direction," welcoming the development.

The association evaluated, "Prohibiting the use of income or assets belonging to the private kindergarten's tuition accounting for purposes other than education, and allowing criminal penalties such as fines for violations, lays the foundation for the public nature of early childhood education," and expressed expectations that "it will eradicate accounting corruption in private kindergartens, strengthen supervision by the competent authorities, and contribute to protecting young children's right to learn."

They also expressed approval of the inclusion of kindergartens as subjects of school meal application through partial amendments to the School Meal Act, which helps create a healthy growth environment for young children.

However, they urged for equalization of penalties regarding the different legal applications between corporate kindergartens and individual kindergartens (where embezzlement laws do not apply), despite the same illegal acts, and called for the establishment of private kindergarten operation committees (including private schools) as deliberative bodies to strengthen the public nature of school management.

Kim Seung-hwan, chairman of the Association of City and Provincial Superintendents of Education, said, "Kindergartens are undoubtedly schools and educational institutions that teach students," adding, "The education offices will also strive to improve the poor conditions of private kindergartens and the treatment of private kindergarten teachers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.