"Publishers to Be Reported for Providing Teaching Materials and Gifts in Violation of Graft Act"

Controversy Over Promotional Events During Textbook Selection Period
Civic Group: "Undermining Fairness... Thorough Investigation Needed"

Publishers that provided teaching materials and gifts to teachers during the textbook selection period are set to be reported for violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.

The Citizens' Group for a Society Without Academic Credentials stated on September 12, "Some publishers provided teaching materials and gifts to teachers timed with the textbook selection period," adding, "This clearly constitutes a violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, as well as the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act."

Citizens' Group for a Society Without Academic Credentials.

Recently, one publisher offered free teaching materials to entire classes of teachers who applied, promoting them as "reflecting the revised curriculum." Other publishers distributed gifts such as diaries, calendars, and coffee coupons to teachers through a lottery system, claiming it was to celebrate the approval and certification of their textbooks.

The group pointed out, "It is difficult to view such promotional events during the peak of textbook selection as mere marketing," and emphasized, "Even if the materials are provided with good intentions, they can undermine the fairness and transparency of the textbook selection process."

Unfair business practices by publishers in the textbook selection process have been repeated. Some schools have even posted warning notices at their gates to prevent publisher staff from entering during the selection period. Nevertheless, the practice of providing teaching materials, educational tools, and event gifts has not disappeared.

The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education has issued guidelines to prevent unfair practices and provided precautions regarding the selection of textbooks, but the group reported that violations are still occurring at some local schools.

The group stated, "The city education office must immediately investigate the publishers' provision of event-related teaching materials and gifts," adding, "We plan to file a report regarding these actions."

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