Professor Lee Eun-kyung of Dongshin University Leads Efforts to Enact Mandatory Placement Law for School Speech-Language Pathologists

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] A current professor in the Department of Speech Therapy at Dongshin University is actively advocating for the enactment of a law mandating the placement of school speech-language pathologists, drawing attention.

According to Dongshin University on the 22nd, Professor Lee Eun-kyung of the Department of Speech Therapy (President of the Korea Speech-Language Pathologists Association) recently held a public hearing at the Irum Hall of the Irum Center in Yeouido, Seoul, for the enactment of the "School Speech-Language Pathologist Mandatory Placement Act (Draft)".

The public hearing was attended by current members of the National Assembly, education office supervisors, related department professors, teachers from kindergarten, elementary, and middle schools, and parents, who explored concrete measures for the mandatory placement of school speech-language pathologists.

At the hearing, parents especially attracted attention by voicing various demands for support from school speech-language pathologists for their children.

In Korea, the proportion of students with poor communication skills and reading and writing abilities reaches 10% of the total school-age population, with a higher ratio known to exist among lower grades in elementary school.

Considering that most school life is conducted through speaking and writing, this is a serious issue; however, students have no choice but to receive treatment at hospitals, welfare centers, or speech rehabilitation institutions outside of school.

This contrasts with countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, which have been placing speech-language pathologists in schools since the early 1900s and have legislated the mandatory placement of speech-language pathologists in public schools since the 1950s.

Regarding this, Professor Lee said, "The recent learning gap caused by COVID-19 is another reason why the mandatory placement system for school speech-language pathologists is absolutely necessary," adding, "Problems such as dyslexia, slow learners, learning delays, bullying, and school violence also stem from students' lack of communication skills."

She continued, "In advanced countries, speech-language pathologists professionally handle communication and language education for students with special education needs," and added, "I will join forces with current members of the National Assembly, related department professors, and parents to achieve the enactment of the School Speech-Language Pathologist Mandatory Placement Act."

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