Jeongyojo: "Extreme Score Competition and Collusion with Edutech Companies... Lee Ju-ho Has No Qualifications"

Jeongyojo Holds Press Conference Opposing Appointment of Lee Ju-ho
"Viewing Schools Merely as Test Sites for Private Education Profit Generation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Ahead of the confirmation hearing on the 28th, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (Jeon-gyo-jo) held a press conference opposing the appointment of Lee Ju-ho as Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education.

On the 27th, Jeon-gyo-jo held a press conference in front of the National Assembly, stating, "We firmly oppose the appointment of former Minister of Education, Science and Technology Lee Ju-ho, who oversaw the entire process from design to execution of MB's education policy, which erased education and left only extreme score competition."

Jeon-gyo-jo demanded the withdrawal of the appointment, citing that the candidate drove schools, teachers, and students into endless competition and deepened educational polarization.

Jeon-gyo-jo pointed out, "The candidate devastated public education and pursued education policies based on economic logic, leaving Korean schools with nothing but 'score competition' instead of 'education.' The 'High School Diversification 300 Project' completed the high school hierarchy system consisting of specialized high schools, autonomous private high schools, and general high schools, and the expansion of autonomous private high schools, which sparked controversy as 'elite schools,' fueled educational polarization. Although he called for a reduction in private education expenses, it resulted in a significant increase in private education costs for elementary and middle school students."

Jeon-gyo-jo raised concerns about the candidate's suspected collusion with edutech companies and the possibility of preferential treatment for private education companies. There was controversy over the fact that an edutech company donated to the Asia Education Association, where the candidate served as chairman, and that he received large donations during his campaign for Seoul Superintendent of Education. It was also revealed that donors to the Asia Education Association participated in the advisory group for the K-Edu integrated platform.

Jeon-gyo-jo explained, "Considering his emphasis on policies utilizing edutech such as the introduction of AI assistant teachers, it cannot be ruled out that certain private education companies entangled through donations or sponsorships after his appointment as minister may receive preferential treatment." They added, "Last year, at a seminar hosted by the edutech industry, remarks were made suggesting that schools should provide testbeds for edutech companies' competitiveness and that education offices should increase budgets for purchasing educational content and platforms."

They continued, "We are concerned that the candidate may regard schools merely as testing grounds for profit generation by private education companies," and emphasized, "In addition, personal controversies surrounding the candidate, such as issues with his child's dual citizenship, allegations of private use of political funds, and violations of school zone traffic regulations by the education chief responsible for school safety, raise doubts about his qualifications as Minister of Education."

Jeon-gyo-jo criticized, "Not only did he raise the differential rate of teacher performance pay from 20% to 50-70%, but the introduction of school performance pay systems and attempts to legislate teacher evaluations have led to widespread meaningless showy administration aimed at increasing evaluation scores." They added, "Forcing progressive education superintendents to record school violence in student records, demanding reconsideration of city and provincial student human rights ordinances, and pushing through amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act enforcement decree to legally implement restrictions on hair, dress, and possession inspections to nullify these ordinances are also the candidate's works."

Jeon-gyo-jo concluded, "Looking back ten years ago, driving performance-centered policies caused friction in the education field and strong backlash against one-way communication without dialogue. In all aspects?his actions, education policies, suspected collusion with edutech companies, and lack of philosophy viewing education through market fundamentalism?candidate Lee Ju-ho is unqualified as the head of education."

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