"A Parent Community Needed to Check Malicious Parents"

Professor at Korea National University of Education, KBS Radio Interview
"Mandatory Holding of Teacher Rights Protection Committee, Functions Must Be Strengthened"

Professor Kim Seong-cheon of the Department of Educational Policy at Korea National University of Education pointed out on the 25th that the Child Abuse Prevention Act is being exploited by some parents as a basis for power harassment and urged for countermeasures. The law, introduced to prevent child abuse at home, is being misused in ways that hinder teachers' legitimate educational activities.

In an interview with KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs' on the same day, Professor Kim explained, "When some parents file complaints or threaten to file lawsuits on grounds of child abuse, teachers have to endure disadvantages based on mere suspicion," adding, "When child abuse is suspected, the police immediately dispatch to the scene and separate the teacher and the child, and in such situations, teachers often suffer harm."

He added, "If the teacher endures this and eventually takes sick leave or a leave of absence, other students also end up being affected."

On the 24th, elementary school students at Seoi Elementary School in Seocho-gu, Seoul, are commemorating the late teacher Mr. A. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Professor Kim said, "Just as we have the term 'Helicopter Mom' in Korea, in Japan there is the term 'Monster Parents,' referring to parents who make things difficult for the entire school and persistently harass teachers, which has become a significant social problem," and added, "In the process of teachers interacting with children and solving problems, if there is even a slight discomfort, everything is attributed to the teacher's fault."

He continued, "Not all problems can be solved through laws," but emphasized, "We need to consider the parts where the Child Abuse Prevention Act is being abused." Professor Kim added, "Legal supplementation is necessary regarding whether to establish an exemption clause for (child abuse reports) or to institutionalize defensive rights related to this."

He also advised that it is necessary to make the holding of school teacher rights protection committees mandatory and to strengthen their personnel, functions, and roles.

Furthermore, he stressed the importance of restoring the role and status of parent associations. Professor Kim said, "A community culture is also needed where the majority of rational and aware parents check and control those parents who cause such problems."

He said, "Since not all problems can be resolved legally, I hope that a communication system or buffer mechanism within schools can be established, where parents communicate through parent associations and schools through public organizations to properly manage and coordinate issues."

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