Jeon-gyo-jo, "Policy to Expand Neulbom School Must Be Abandoned"... 36,570 Teachers Sign Petition Against It

"Shifting Responsibility to Schools... Government Must Prioritize Creating Social Conditions to Take Responsibility"

The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (JeonGyoJo) held a press conference on the morning of the 21st in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office, demanding the abolition of the Neulbom School expansion policy and the reflection of field opinions. They also called for separating childcare from schools and placing responsibility on the state.

The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union held a press conference on the 21st demanding the abolition of the Neulbom School Expansion Policy.
[Photo by Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union]

JeonGyoJo pointed out that "the operation of Neulbom pilot schools has already caused confusion in schools throughout the first semester," and criticized, "Without a clear investigation and measures regarding the numerous confusions in school sites, the Ministry of Education is trying to push a reckless policy that only emphasizes quantitative expansion by flaunting massive budget investments."

JeonGyoJo also stated, "Neulbom Schools neither contribute to students' growth nor are educationally appropriate," adding, "Before talking about high-quality childcare, improvements in labor conditions that allow work and family to coexist must be pursued simultaneously so that the social and emotional functions of families can be restored."

JeonGyoJo defined Neulbom Schools as a policy that goes against the normalization of public education. They said that if the Ministry of Education is sincerely considering childcare, a social discussion process is needed that prioritizes continuous communication with the educational field and finding the best alternatives together with educational stakeholders, rather than focusing on speed.

Jeon Hee-young, Chairperson of JeonGyoJo, addressed Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, saying, "Schools are educational institutions that operate curricula, not childcare centers. Childcare is a responsibility that should be borne by families and the state, not schools," and added, "It is the role of the Deputy Prime Minister overseeing education, society, and culture to strive to create a labor environment where work and family can coexist, so that family functions can be restored, rather than shifting all these roles onto schools."

Earlier, on the 17th, the Ministry of Education announced that "Neulbom Schools will more than double in the second semester." The pilot education offices will increase from five regions in the first semester (Incheon, Daejeon, Gyeonggi, Jeonnam, Gyeongbuk) to eight with the addition of three education offices (Busan, Chungbuk, Chungnam), and the number of pilot schools will increase from 214 in the first semester to 459 in the second semester, more than doubling. They also plan to promote the enactment of a provisional 'Neulbom School Support Special Act' in the second half of this year and to announce the 2024 phased expansion plan for Neulbom Schools one year ahead in November. JeonGyoJo conducted a petition against the Neulbom School policy from the 10th to the 18th and announced that as of today, 36,750 people have signed in opposition, which they plan to submit to the Ministry of Education and the National Assembly.

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