Ministry of Health and Welfare to Provide Additional Support for 1,000 Childcare Assistant Teachers

Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo attended the plenary meeting of the Health and Welfare Committee held at the National Assembly on the 26th and was seen conversing with Yang Seong-il, the 1st Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, during the meeting. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that it will provide additional support for assistant teachers at daycare centers this year.

Yang Seong-il, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated in response to the public petition titled "Increase Daycare Center Teachers," posted on the Blue House website on the 12th, "We will increase the number of daycare center teachers by supporting approximately 1,000 additional assistant teachers in 2021."

He emphasized, "We will prioritize assigning assistant teachers during times when lead teachers are heavily occupied, as well as during outdoor play and field trips, to increase the number of teachers caring for children."

Vice Minister Yang said, "The government has been steadily expanding the number of assistant teachers to help ease the teacher-to-child ratio," adding, "We have made efforts to create a safe childcare environment by assigning dedicated extended care teachers and supporting assistant teachers."

He continued, "We will enhance the safety awareness of all childcare staff, including directors and assistant teachers, and strengthen the foundation for observing and protecting infants and young children," mentioning, "Safety education and emergency first aid practice during drop-off and pick-up times have been mandated through the enactment and revision of related laws such as the Infant and Toddler Care Act."

Vice Minister Yang added, "We will improve the quality of safety education by conducting it with a case-based approach, thereby raising the safety awareness of childcare staff," and "We will also comprehensively review the appropriate teacher-to-child ratio in daycare centers."

Meanwhile, the petition was submitted last November by a parent who lost their child in an accident during outdoor activities at a daycare center, requesting an increase in the number of daycare center teachers. It received the support of approximately 206,000 people over the course of one month.

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