Lee Nak-yeon: "All Infants and Toddlers Need 'Non-Discriminatory Care'... Will Establish a Yubotonghap Model"

Adjusting Child-to-Teacher Ratio to OECD Level and Improving Teacher Treatment
Implementing National Responsibility for Care by Assigning Counselors to Full-Day Childcare Centers and Kindergartens

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Lee Nak-yeon, former leader and presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, promised a 'non-discriminatory care service,' stating that "all infants and toddlers in the Republic of Korea should receive high-quality care and education from the early stages of life based on equal starting opportunities." He emphasized the need to establish a 'Yubotonghap (integration of kindergarten and daycare center programs)' model suitable for the domestic context.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 18th, Lee Nak-yeon revealed specific policy plans related to the 'National Responsibility for Childcare System' at a 'Childcare Policy Meeting with Parents and School Staff' held in Jongno, Seoul.

Lee expressed that Yubotonghap, which integrates kindergarten and daycare center programs, is necessary to provide non-discriminatory care services. On this day, he mentioned the need to eliminate disparities between kindergartens and daycare centers, as well as between municipal and national/public facilities, and to expand the choice and utilization of institutions for all parents. Accordingly, he pledged to lower the 'child-to-teacher' ratio in daycare centers and kindergartens and improve teachers' working conditions. He explained that the ratio would be adjusted to approach OECD standards to enhance quality interactions and meticulous care, and that treatment would be gradually improved so that skilled and highly professional teachers can continue working.

Additionally, he promised to promote the placement of counselors in daycare centers or kindergartens that operate all-day programs. Since the proportion of infants and toddlers exhibiting problematic or abnormal behaviors has recently approached 10-20 per 100 children, causing difficulties for teachers and parents and sometimes leading to child abuse, adding professional psychological counselors is expected to prevent worsening behavioral problems in children as well as reduce work stress for teachers and parenting stress for parents.

Lee Nak-yeon stated, "If elected president, I will form and operate a committee composed of experts, field workers, and parents to realize the National Responsibility for Childcare System and establish a 'Yubotonghap' model suited to our circumstances." He added, "I will devote continuous attention and effort to create an environment where our children, parents, and teachers are happy, and build a country that protects the lives of all citizens."

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