Jeongyojo Jeonnam Branch Accepts Neulbom School "Reluctantly" Amid Backlash

As the government announced the full implementation of Neulbom School this year, some teacher organizations, including the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (JeonGyoJo), continue to oppose it.

The Jeonnam branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union issued a statement on the 13th, saying, "The Neulbom School policy, which burdens schools, cannot be a solution to low birth rates," and "Teachers are in charge of tasks related to Neulbom School. After-school program staff are being forced to take on duties under the name of Neulbom, and teachers are accepting this 'reluctantly'."

The Jeonnam Branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (JeonGyoJo) issued a statement opposing the 2024 Neulbom School Promotion Plan announced by the government. Photo by Jeonnam Branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union

They added, "The schools are already saturated and could explode at any time. If the unrealistic and non-educational Neulbom policy is pushed through recklessly, problems are inevitable," emphasizing, "There needs to be sufficient review of the policy direction and public opinion gathering for adjustment."

The Jeonnam branch of JeonGyoJo criticized, "According to the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education's pilot operation of Neulbom School last year, out of a total of 426 schools operating care programs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., only 198 schools, or 46%, participated. Among these, 113 schools had only 1 to 3 participating students, accounting for more than half," and "Only 18 schools had more than 10 participating students, and just 3 schools had more than 20."

Furthermore, they pointed out, "If Neulbom School expands, classrooms containing teaching materials, learning supplies, and student works will inevitably be used," and "Teachers without proper research rooms will have no choice but to wander around the school for curriculum research, next-day lesson preparation, and material production, and there will be no space for individual counseling or guidance for students after regular classes."

They then demanded measures to improve the quality of education and care, including ▲ prohibition of transferring Neulbom duties to teachers with guidance and administrative supervision ▲ hiring and transfer of temporary teachers responsible for Neulbom duties ▲ strengthening the function of Neulbom Support Centers to handle actual Neulbom tasks and transferring all related duties ▲ hiring and support of regular administrative staff ▲ expansion of Neulbom in cooperation with local governments ▲ guaranteeing school-specific Neulbom implementation based on consultation among school members.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education announced the 2024 Neulbom School promotion plan, which includes free customized programs for first and second graders for two hours daily, quality programs for third to sixth graders, spreading various models tailored to the characteristics of metropolitan and provincial offices of education and schools, and reducing administrative burdens on teachers related to Neulbom School.

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