Gyeongnam Office of Education Warns of Strict Measures Against Corruption at a Private Middle School in Jinju... "Will Not Stand Idly By"

The Gyeongnam Office of Education plans to take strict action against a former principal and teachers of a private middle school in Jinju City involved in private school corruption.

The provincial education office announced on the 11th that it received complaints through the National Petition System on June 29 and July 4, 2023, regarding allegations of fraudulent admission involving the principal's child at the school.

It added that a first investigation was conducted on July 5, followed by an internal audit from August 31 to September 8.

Gyeongnam Office of Education.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

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According to the education office's audit results, former principal Mr. A did not pay the full amount of beneficiary-borne expenses such as dormitory fees for his child, Mr. B, who was a student at the school.

The unpaid period spanned from March 2021 to the end of February this year, amounting to a total of 18,122,230 KRW.

From 2021 to 2023, false attendance records were created for after-school programs, dormitory fitness programs, Do Dream School operations, Biz Cool classes, and others to embezzle instructor fees.

The curriculum operated was entirely different from what was reported to the education support office, and after-school programs were conducted during regular class hours, or individuals without teaching qualifications were assigned to regular classes.

The provincial education office submitted the findings revealed by the audit to the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency and cooperated with witness investigations.

It also requested detailed materials on the overall investigation results, excluding the four teachers notified on the 11th of this month, from the provincial police agency.

Once the investigation results are received from the provincial police agency, the education office plans to review relevant regulations and take administrative and financial measures such as personnel actions, recovery, and imposition of additional sanctions against the accused principal, teachers, and the related corporation.

Inspector Lee Min-jae stated, “We will strictly discipline the offenders and the related corporation to prevent misconduct in private schools and strive for the sound development of private education.”

Previously, Mr. A was sent to prosecution in custody on charges of abusing his position as principal to exempt his child's tuition fees, coercing manipulation of test scores, and embezzling subsidies.

Three relatives of Mr. A, including Mr. B, and six school teachers, including Mr. C, who participated in or abetted the crimes, were also booked and sent to prosecution without detention.

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