Tensions in the Education Sector Over the 'Day of Public Education Halt'

"Violation of the Right to Learn" vs "No Change in School Settings"
After-School and Weekend Gatherings Also Under Discussion Amid Ministry of Education's Firm Response

The conflict within the education sector over whether to observe a discretionary holiday on the 'Day of Public Education Pause' is intensifying. Some teachers support marking September 4, the 49th day memorial (sagunjae) for the deceased teacher from Seoi Elementary School, as the 'Day of Public Education Pause,' and plan to conduct indirect strikes by using personal leave or other means as a form of mourning. However, the Ministry of Education has announced a firm stance against this, citing infringement on students' right to learn.

Initially, 565 schools had declared they would take a discretionary holiday on the 'Day of Public Education Pause,' a proposal that originated from the elementary teachers' online community 'Indischool.' However, according to the Ministry of Education's confirmation through local education offices nationwide as of 4 p.m. on the 29th of last month, only 17 schools had decided to take a temporary holiday on September 4. All of these are elementary schools, representing just 0.3% of the 6,285 elementary schools nationwide.

This is because the Ministry of Education has classified discretionary holidays as 'illegal collective action' and has taken measures to stop it. The Ministry stated that despite the obligation to prohibit collective actions, if teachers use personal or sick leave, they could face disciplinary actions up to dismissal or termination. Furthermore, principals who authorize discretionary holidays on that day could face dismissal or termination, as well as criminal charges for abuse of authority under criminal law.

However, more than 84,000 teachers had expressed their intention to participate in the '9.4 Public Education Pause Signature' on Indischool as of 5 p.m. on the 29th of last month. This number is significantly higher than the Ministry of Education's count, despite being recorded on the same day.

Support for teachers' discretionary holidays has also come from the 'National Federation of Education University Students' and parent associations, suggesting that even more people may participate in the gatherings than the education office's tally indicates.

On the afternoon of the 26th, participants hold placards at the "National Teachers' Legislative Urging Memorial Rally" held by teachers nationwide in front of the National Assembly in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Ju-ho, Minister of Education, emphasized that the issue should not be politicized as measures to protect teachers' rights are already being put in place. On the 29th of last month, during SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' Minister Lee said, "Measures to strengthen the protection of teachers' rights are being prepared one after another, and the official notices have already been announced. A four-party consultative body consisting of the ruling and opposition parties, the Ministry of Education, and local education offices has been formed, and progress is being made faster than any other legislation, gaining public support." He added, "If a holiday is taken on the 49th day memorial, issues of infringement on students' right to learn will arise."

Minister Lee expressed concern, saying, "One of the major reasons for the decline in teachers' authority has been the excessive emphasis on students' human rights, which created an imbalance. Now, with a positive atmosphere and significant momentum for restoring teachers' authority, if conflicts arise again, it could lead to further disputes, politicization, and delays in resolving the problems, creating a vicious cycle."

In response, teachers supporting the 'Day of Public Education Pause' are currently seeking alternatives.

First, the '500,000 Teachers' General Rally for Memorial' will proceed as planned in front of the National Assembly on the 2nd. Additionally, some teacher groups such as 'All Together with One Heart' have scheduled a memorial rally at 4:30 p.m. on the 4th in front of the National Assembly as planned.

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