"3kg Donkatsu Shared Among 85 People"... Over 10 Teachers Resign in Bulk at Daycare Center

The Director Says "It's Unfair and Not True"
Childcare Teacher Conflict Leads to 'Legal Dispute'
Over 120 Parents Submit Director Dismissal Consent Forms

More than 10 teachers at a national public daycare center in Sejong resigned en masse and raised suspicions of mismanagement at the daycare center. In response, Sejong City has launched a fact-finding investigation.

According to a media report on the 11th, more than 10 childcare teachers at this daycare center have not been coming to work collectively since the 5th. About 120 parents of the daycare center submitted a petition for the dismissal of the director to the city. Subsequently, a complaint was also filed with the National Human Rights Commission requesting an investigation into the Sejong mayor and the director.

A photo posted by a parent on a local mom cafe raising suspicions that the school meal was poorly served.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The teachers are also reportedly planning to file injunctions against dismissal and sue the director for workplace bullying, coercion, and threats. In response, the daycare center director claimed that the teachers are colluding with some parents to oust her and threatened to file a countersuit. Parents expressed anxiety as the daycare center has been operating in a dysfunctional manner.

The conflict began last November when a new director took office. The teachers clashed with the director over employment succession, the drafting of labor contracts, and daycare center operations, leading to their collective resignation on the 5th.

Afterwards, the teachers filed complaints alleging that the director’s abusive behavior had gone too far. The complaints included the director disparaging the children’s appearances, enforcing strict rehearsal for graduation ceremonies, and belittling parents’ economic status in response to their suggestions or inquiries.

They also raised suspicions that snacks and lunches provided to the children were insufficient. It was reported that 3kg of pork cutlet was purchased and served to 75 children and 10 teachers.

Some Parents Report Daycare Center to Police

The teachers and the director have conflicting positions regarding employment succession.

The teachers claim that the director, who promised succession, has been delaying the drafting of labor contracts. They submitted resignation letters on the 12th of last month, specifying that they would work until the 30th of this month to ensure a smooth handover, but the director unilaterally notified them to come to work only until the 2nd.

Regarding this, the director stated, "The teachers’ claims are completely untrue. The decision to work only until the 2nd was made according to their own will," adding, "I also have related recordings."

Meanwhile, as a gap in teachers at the daycare center emerged, parents expressed anxiety, saying they are suffering from the conflict between the director and the teachers.

In fact, on the 5th, the police were dispatched after the director reported some parents and teachers who were lingering in the parking lot while dropping off their children for obstruction of business.

Some parents also reported the daycare center to the police, citing the possibility of emotional abuse in the childcare environment because the daycare center’s windows were covered with blinds.

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