Kyochong "Education Reform Must Be Based on Field Consensus"... Lee Ju-ho "Will Communicate More"

New Year's Education Ceremony... First Time in 3 Years Since COVID-19

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Jeong Seong-guk, president of the Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations, emphasized that educational reform must be achieved based on the consensus of on-site teachers.

At the education sector's New Year's greeting event held on the 12th at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul, President Jeong stated, "The government has been emphasizing its commitment to educational reform day after day, and the school field is filled with both expectations and concerns," adding, "Previous administrations have failed to bring about positive changes in schools through unilateral top-down educational reforms."

He continued, "True educational reform must start from schools and individual teachers to achieve meaningful change," and urged, "Even if the pace is slow, I ask for educational reform that works together with schools and is empathized with and led by on-site teachers."

President Jeong said, "When it comes to educational issues, please move beyond the confrontation between ruling and opposition parties and strive to establish laws and systems that allow teachers to focus and dedicate themselves to educational activities," adding, "Please ensure the establishment of legal and institutional foundations to abolish non-essential teacher administrative tasks and teacher evaluations, which are the top priorities of the education sector."

Lee Baeyong, Chairperson of the National Education Commission, Jeong Seongguk, President of the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations, Lee Juho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, and Kang Eunhee, Superintendent of Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education (from left), are making a toast at the 2023 New Year's Education Meeting held on the 12th at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by the Ministry of Education

The New Year's greeting event, held under the theme "Education as Education, Schools as Schools," was attended by more than 110 people, including Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Lee Bae-yong, Chairperson of the National Education Commission, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, Lee Jeong-mi, leader of the Justice Party, Lee Tae-gyu and Lee Dal-gon, members of the National Assembly's Education Committee from the People Power Party, and Kang Eun-hee, Superintendent of Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education.

Deputy Prime Minister Lee responded, "The importance of educational reform in solving social challenges such as population decline and intensified technological competition is greater than ever," adding, "The power to bring about true change lies with on-site teachers. I will communicate and cooperate more with teachers."

He also promised, "To nurture talents equipped with future competencies, the role of teachers is paramount. We will continue to strengthen protection for educational activities so that teachers can actively conduct classes and guide students' daily lives, boldly reduce unnecessary administrative tasks, and create conditions that allow teachers to focus on educational activities."

Meanwhile, this education sector New Year's greeting event was held face-to-face for the first time in three years since the outbreak of COVID-19.

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