Kyochon "84% of Teachers Oppose Lowering Education Superintendent Voting Age to 16"

Opposition Reasons: 'Popularity-Seeking Catering to Student Votes' 42%
Majority Opinion Favors Discussion Through Social Institutions

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] It has been revealed that 84% of teachers oppose lowering the voting age for education superintendent elections from 18 to 16 years old.

On the 30th, the Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA) conducted a survey of 1,762 teachers from nationwide kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools regarding the amendment to the Local Education Autonomy Act to lower the voting age for education superintendent elections to 16. The results showed that 83.8% opposed the change.

The reasons for opposition were primarily 'populist policies aimed at winning students' votes' (42.1%), 'concerns about politicization of schools and classrooms' (30.7%), and 'it is preferable to have the same voting age as other elections' (20.6%), in that order.

Only 14.5% of teachers responded positively to lowering the voting age for education superintendent elections. The most common reason for support was 'expanding the reflection of students' demands in education superintendent policies' (50.6%).

The KFTA explained, "The biggest reason for supporting the lowering to 16 is ironically the same as the biggest reason for opposing it," adding, "This result shows how much the school field is concerned about student agitation and populism under the direct election system for education superintendents."

Regarding the method of discussing the lowering of the voting age for education superintendent elections, 75.4% expressed the opinion that it is necessary to publicize the issue through a separate social discussion body before legislating. Only 21.1% said it should be discussed and amended through the National Assembly.

The KFTA stated, "It is worrisome what the intention is behind lowering only the voting age ahead of next year's election without measures to eradicate ideological and biased education and politicization of classrooms," and emphasized, "The National Assembly should not unilaterally pass the bill by vote; national discussion and consensus on whether to lower the voting age must be a prerequisite."

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