Lee Ju-ho "Preparing Measures to Handle Malicious Complaints... Also Considering Increase in Homeroom Teacher Allowance"

Attendance at the National Assembly Education Committee Full Meeting on the 28th

Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, emphasized that measures will be prepared to protect teachers from malicious complaints. He also stated that the increase of homeroom teacher allowances is being actively considered.

Deputy Prime Minister Lee made these remarks on the 28th during the National Assembly Education Committee's plenary session while addressing recent controversies over teacher rights violations, including the case of a newly appointed teacher who passed away at Seocho-gu Seoi Elementary School.

Lee said, "In the comprehensive (teacher rights protection) measures scheduled for August, we plan to establish a proper system to ensure that teachers can feel secure against malicious complaints," adding, "We will especially ensure that novice teachers are not exposed alone to malicious complaints."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding opinions that the homeroom teacher allowance, which has been frozen since 2016 due to the phenomenon of teachers avoiding homeroom duties because of excessive complaints, should be increased, Deputy Prime Minister Lee said, "Many have proposed raising the homeroom teacher allowance, and we are actively reviewing it," adding, "We are making efforts to consult with the financial authorities as much as possible."

Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, also stated during the current issues inquiry, "We will introduce a technical system to protect teachers from parent complaints that interfere with educational activities at individual schools, and we will systematize and strengthen the school interview procedures."

However, regarding measures to record serious violations of teacher rights in the School Life Records (Saenggibu), Deputy Prime Minister Lee and Superintendent Cho expressed differing opinions. Lee said, "It is problematic that violence against fellow students is recorded, but violence against teachers is not," and added, "Recording in the student record also aims to have an educational effect." He further explained, "We will also thoroughly review potential side effects."

Superintendent Cho suggested, "I believe the Ministry of Education can create a deliberation table with the Association of Metropolitan and Provincial Education Superintendents," and proposed, "Rather than rushing to legislate immediately, wouldn't it be possible to have a discussion by deliberating with the two perspectives of support and opposition?"

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