A Society Without Academic Elitism, Urging Amendment of Kindergarten Parents' Association Operation Ordinance

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Citizens' Group for a Society Without Academic Elitism has urged the revision of the 'Parent Association Operation Ordinance' to allow parents to participate in various activities at all kindergartens.

According to the Citizens' Group for a Society Without Academic Elitism on the 17th, the recently revised Kindergarten 3 Acts aimed at strengthening the public nature of kindergartens have passed the regular National Assembly session. This has raised great expectations among numerous parents of young children and citizens who hope for the eradication of corruption in private kindergartens and fundamental measures.

They stated, "Among the revised Kindergarten 3 Acts, the mandatory establishment of kindergarten operation committees and the public disclosure of meeting minutes are expected to greatly enhance the deliberative activities regarding kindergarten management," adding, "However, separate from the operation committee, a parent association, which is a self-governing body of parents, is absolutely necessary for parents at individual kindergartens to participate more actively or monitor kindergarten operations."

They continued, "The parent association aims to contribute to school development by expanding parents' participation in school education as members of the educational community and to realize an educational culture of communication and empathy," and said, "The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education has enacted and implemented an ordinance on the establishment and operation of school parent associations since 2017."

They explained, "With the enactment of the ordinance, a basis for promoting parent activities in elementary, middle, and high schools was established, guaranteeing parents not only participation in school education but also rights related to parent association participation in school education, volunteer work, talent donation, parent education, and operation of parent clubs. Corresponding project funds (2 million KRW per school annually) are supported by the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education or schools."

They also claimed, "Although Article 2, Clause 2 of the Early Childhood Education Act clearly defines kindergartens as schools, the parent association operation ordinance of the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education defines schools only according to Article 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, thereby excluding kindergartens from the scope of parent association support, which causes legislative deficiencies."

Finally, they emphasized, "The ordinance on parent association operation must be revised to include kindergartens as schools so that parents can actively participate in various activities at all kindergartens," adding, "In particular, the installation of parent associations in private kindergartens should be encouraged to strengthen the public nature of kindergartens."

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