[Reporter’s Notebook] Do Not Ignore the Voices of Teachers Who Say "We Are Afraid of Students"

Calls for Improving Teacher Rights Surge After Seoicho Teacher's Tragic Death
Ruling and Opposition Parties Urged to End Political Strife
Listen to the Voices of Teachers

Recently, at a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Office, Son Min-jeong, the chairperson of the Gangwon Teachers' Labor Union affiliated with the Teachers' Labor Union Federation, finally broke down in tears. The press conference was held in response to several incidents of teacher rights violations that occurred in elementary schools. She pleaded, "Please do not ignore the voices of teachers who are afraid to teach students." Hearing Chairperson Son's tearful voice brought to mind a scene where the ruling and opposition parties were focusing their efforts on blaming each other for the causes of a series of teacher rights violations, arguing over the responsibilities of the previous and current governments.

Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, stated that "student rights have been excessively prioritized" and announced plans to revise the Student Rights Ordinance. The Student Rights Ordinance, which strengthens student rights such as the prohibition of corporal punishment and the right not to be discriminated against, was introduced from the 2010s led by progressive education superintendents, but it was pointed out as the cause of the recent teacher rights violations. The opposition responded by refuting Deputy Prime Minister Lee's remarks on revising the Student Rights Ordinance. The continuous decline of teacher rights is attributed to various causes, including the collapse of public education, turning the Student Rights Ordinance into an ideological debate between conservative and progressive camps.

On the afternoon of the 24th, a teacher is seen in sorrow at a meeting held at the Korean Federation of Trade Unions building in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, between the Ministry of Education and the Teachers' Labor Union Federation to discuss the protection of teachers' educational activities.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Once the political strife between the ruling and opposition parties ends and public interest wanes, the issue of teacher rights violations will likely fade from politicians' attention. If public interest persists, it is obvious that revised bills with only minor changes in wording will flood in. However, such revisions will not be a solution.

Previously, the ruling and opposition parties showed similar behavior over the audit results of the Four Major Rivers Project. They were quick to shift responsibility between the previous and current governments. The People Power Party criticized it as "an unscientific, hasty policy driven by the Moon Jae-in administration's interest cartel," calling it a second national scandal, while the Democratic Party opposed it as a "political targeted audit." The Democratic Party even formed a task force (TF) called 'Audit Political Audit Response' to criticize the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's 'abuse of power.' As ruling and opposition members of the Environment and Labor Committee continue this dispute, legislative discussions related to recent heavy rain damage have not been properly conducted.

Teacher rights violation incidents are chronic problems that are difficult to solve even when the ruling and opposition parties put their heads together. If they continue to shift responsibility through mutual blame, it will be hard to expect improvements. This time, I hope the ruling and opposition parties will stop political disputes and listen to the voices of teachers who are afraid to stand in the classroom.

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