[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Open Democratic Party has pledged to exempt tuition fees at regional national universities. They also promised to amend related laws to guarantee teachers' basic political rights and strengthen transparency in private schools.
On the morning of the 3rd, the Open Democratic Party held a press conference titled "Open Democratic Party Announces Education Reform Pledge" at the Jeollabuk-do Provincial Council briefing room, stating, "We must dismantle the university hierarchy," and added, "The intense entrance competition concentrated on the so-called 'SKY' universities needs to be alleviated, and for this, a policy focusing on supporting regional national universities is necessary."
They continued, "Exempting tuition fees at regional national universities is the starting point," emphasizing, "Through free education at regional national universities, we can reduce the concentration of talented individuals in the metropolitan area and improve the education and research levels of regional national universities."
They pointed out that current laws restrict teachers' basic political rights and limit students' critical thinking education, pledging to guarantee teachers' political freedom outside of working hours.
The Open Democratic Party stated, "Article 7, Paragraph 3 of the constitutional amendment proposal submitted by President Moon Jae-in in 2018 specifies that 'political neutrality must be maintained while performing duties,' thereby recognizing the necessity of guaranteeing political freedom outside of work hours," and added, "It is impossible for teachers, who do not enjoy civil rights, to nurture democratic citizens."
They also promised to amend the Private School Act. They emphasized, "Private schools account for 33% of middle and high schools nationwide and 86.5% of universities, indicating a high proportion of private education," and stressed, "It is necessary to amend laws to enhance the public nature of private schools." According to the Open Democratic Party, as of 2017, out of the total private school accounting revenue of 10.9956 trillion won, government support was 7.332 trillion won, and parental burden was 3.0246 trillion won.
The Open Democratic Party argued that the amendment to the Private School Act should include ▲ prohibition of appointing founders, their relatives, executives, and school principals as open directors ▲ ban on the return of corrupt executives ▲ strengthening standards and enforcement regarding cancellation of executive approval ▲ enhancing the public nature of faculty recruitment ▲ strengthening protection for whistleblowers of private school corruption.
As a special support measure for online school openings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they requested "corporate social responsibility-level support for online class equipment at 'less than half price'." They also proposed diversifying class content in collaboration with EBS.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
