Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education Requests 'Explanation Documents' from Teachers Who Took Leave the Day Before Memorial Rally

Kyungrido Branch of Jeon-gyo-jo "Not in Any Regulation" Protest
Ministry of Education: "No Disadvantage for Teachers Participating in Memorial"

Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education reportedly requested explanatory documents from teachers who took annual leave or sick leave the day before the 'Public Education Stop Day' memorial rally held on the 4th. Frontline teachers are opposing this, stating that submitting explanatory documents for one day of annual or sick leave is not stipulated in the regulations.

According to the Gyeonggi branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) on the 8th, the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education sent an official letter titled 'Guidance on Academic Operation and Education Duty Handling Related to Public Education Stop Day' to each school on the 5th, the day after the memorial rally on the 4th.

The content of the official letter was to "provide guidance on teacher duty handling measures for September 4th," emphasizing "when approving teacher duty, verify related explanatory documents and process accordingly."

At a press conference supporting the 'Day of Public Education Stop,' held on the morning of the 4th in front of the Admiral Yi Sun-sin statue at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, marking the 49th day memorial (Sibuje) of a teacher who died at an elementary school in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and commemorating the event, a participant is holding a placard. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding academic operations, it was reported that the guidance instructed schools to "autonomously manage combined classes or shortened classes due to teacher absences by securing the equivalent amount of missed class hours."

In response, the Gyeonggi branch of the KTU issued a statement criticizing, "Requesting explanatory documents for one day of annual or sick leave is not mentioned in any regulations or rules," adding, "They are trying to judge illegality with an unmarked ruler."

As the controversy grew, the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education explained that since class losses did occur, they decided to receive explanatory documents to emphasize teacher accountability.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education had warned that teachers who took annual or sick leave ahead of the Public Education Stop Day rally would be disciplined, but a day later on the 5th, they announced a withdrawal of the disciplinary policy, stepping back from their initial stance.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho stated this during a meeting at the Government Seoul Office with Jung Sung-guk, president of the Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations, and Kim Yong-seo, chairman of the Teachers' Labor Union Federation.

Minister Lee said, "I have come to understand the sincere mourning for the deceased and the majority of teachers' desire to restore teacher authority," adding, "Teachers who participated in the memorial will not suffer any disadvantages regarding their status, and the education authorities will not discipline them."

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