"Proper Student Guidance Exempts from Child Abuse Liability"… National Assembly and Government to Amend Teacher Status Act

Second Meeting of the Four-Party Council of Education Superintendents from Ruling and Opposition Parties
Discussion on the Direction of Amendments to the Teacher Status Act

The ruling and opposition parties, the government, and metropolitan and provincial superintendents of education have finalized the direction for amending laws to protect teachers' rights. Legitimate classroom management will not be regarded as a violation of child abuse prohibition acts, and even if a teacher is reported for child abuse crimes, they will not be suspended from their position without justifiable reasons.

Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, Lim Tae-hee, Superintendent of Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, Kim Cheol-min, Chair of the National Assembly Education Committee (affiliated with the Democratic Party), along with Lee Cheol-gyu, a member of the People Power Party and ranking member of the Education Committee, and Kim Young-ho, a Democratic Party member, met at the National Assembly to hold the second meeting of the four-party consultative body comprising the ruling and opposition parties and metropolitan and provincial superintendents of education.

After the meeting, they reviewed the contents of the bills discussed in the Education Committee’s subcommittee on legislation.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

First, regarding the amendment of the "Special Act on the Improvement of Teachers' Status and Protection of Educational Activities (Teacher Status Act)," the obligation for superintendents of education to submit opinions during investigations and inquiries related to child abuse crimes was mandated; the prohibition of school principals minimizing or concealing infringements on teachers' activities was established; and so-called malicious complaints with unjust purposes, as well as obstruction of official duties, false accusations, and obstruction of business, were added to acts infringing on educational activities. Additionally, measures addressing infringements on teachers' activities were transferred to the regional Teacher Rights Protection Committee under the Office of Education Support. Students infringing on educational activities and teachers are to be immediately separated, and separate educational methods are to be prepared and operated for the separated students.

Furthermore, amendments to the Framework Act on Education, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and the Early Childhood Education Act were made so that legitimate classroom management by teachers is not considered a violation of child abuse prohibition acts under the Child Welfare Act, such as physical abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect.

It was also decided to improve the system so that teachers reported for child abuse crimes are not suspended from their positions without justifiable reasons. This content will be newly submitted to the Education Committee’s subcommittee on legislation.

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