Society Without Academic Background Group Urges Withdrawal of Dismissal of Teacher at Gwangju A High School

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] A citizens' group for a society without academic elitism has urged the withdrawal of the dismissal of a teacher at A High School in Gwangju Metropolitan City.

The citizens' group for a society without academic elitism stated, "The dismissal of the teacher at A High School is a typical example of the arbitrary personnel authority of private schools," and added, "It openly demonstrates that even teachers appointed through education office consignment recruitment are 'as fragile as a fly's life' if they fall out of favor with the foundation."

They said, "A High School cited reasons such as incompetence at work, lack of cooperation with fellow teachers, and union activities for the dismissal," and continued, "However, according to the media, the teacher at A High School was appointed through education office consignment recruitment and, after being asked for money by the corporation, refused and reported it as a public interest whistleblower."

They went on, "The Gwangju Teachers' Union also defines this dismissal as retaliation against the public interest report and is opposing it," emphasizing, "This overturns A High School's own commitment to securing the public nature of private schools through transparent and fair appointments and insults the rights of citizens to learn from just and principled teachers."

Furthermore, "Above all, A High School students have strongly criticized the foundation's corruption and are conducting a signature campaign demanding the return of their teacher by systematically refuting the foundation's flimsy grounds for dismissal," stressing, "Students are the root of all rights within the school, the purpose of exercising rights, and the main agents of school operation."

Finally, they urged, "The school corporation of A High School must immediately withdraw the unfair dismissal and apologize to the students," and called on "the Gwangju Metropolitan City Office of Education to listen to the students' outcry, conduct a special audit, protect the public interest whistleblower, and take active measures."