"(During class) wake up"


"Please dress neatly"


"Use of cell phone is prohibited during class"


In the future, there will be a clear legal basis for teachers' life guidance for students.



A new provision was also included that "students must not engage in acts that violate the human rights of faculty members or other students."



According to the National Assembly today (24th), the amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which contains these contents, passed the National Assembly Education Committee subcommittee the day before and was submitted to the full meeting of the Education Committee on the 28th.



Under the current Elementary and Secondary Education Act, if necessary for education, the 'head of the school' may discipline students or guide them in other ways according to laws and school regulations.



At this time, the authority of discipline and guidance was given to the principal, not the teacher, and there were no regulations on student life guidance.



However, in the revised bill, a new clause was added for 'teacher's student life guidance', so that not only principals but also teachers can 'protect students' human rights and, if necessary for teachers' educational activities, guide students according to the laws and school rules.' contains the contents.



When the amendment passed the legislative review subcommittee, teachers' organizations unanimously welcomed it.



On the 24th, the Federation of Teachers’ Trade Unions (Teachers’ Union) and the Federation of Korean Teachers’ Associations (Teachers Federation) issued a statement side by side and said, “We welcome the passage of the Legislative Review Subcommittee for the amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which prepares the basis for student life guidance.” It must be passed through the education committee, the judiciary committee, and the plenary session within this regular session,” he said.

Cases of over-the-top infringement of teaching rights...

where is the protection

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▲ A middle school student lying on the podium during class and filming the teacher


An elementary school student who threw a practice saw with abusive language at a teacher who broke up a fight over the past few months, a high school student who placed a mobile phone under the desk to film the teacher's skirt, and a teacher's hair when he pointed out graffiti on the blackboard that slandered others with profanity. There are more and more cases of infringement of teaching rights that go beyond the limit, such as elementary school students who caught a thong and middle school students who kicked them when they said that their makeup was too thick.



Such cases of infringement of teacher rights are increasing again due to the expansion of face-to-face classes, but this year alone, a total of 1,596 cases, accounting for 70.3% of the total number of cases last year.



In particular, the number of cases of 'insults and defamation' was overwhelmingly high, and there were not a few cases of injury, assault, sexual harassment, or sexual violence.



In response, teachers' union officials have appealed that there is no 'legal safety valve' to protect teachers themselves, saying, "Shouldn't we at least be able to give a word of admonition to students who do not listen to class or do not obey instructions?"



“It is difficult for teachers to actively respond in situations where educational activities are violated, so in fact, guidance on student crisis behavior is neglected,” he said. I think it will be a cornerstone for life."



(Photo = Courtesy of the Federation of Korean Teachers' Organizations, Yonhap News)