Gyeongnam School Reform Movement Headquarters "Immediately Repeal the Student Autonomy Ordinance Proposal"

The Gyeongnam School Reform Movement Headquarters is demanding the repeal of the "Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education Ordinance on Student Autonomy and Participation Activation" in front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council on the 10th. Photo by Saeyan Park sy77@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Following the announcement of the 'Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education Ordinance on the Activation of Student Autonomy and Participation' by the Gyeongnam Provincial Council on April 27, the Gyeongnam School Reform Movement Headquarters is voicing demands for the ordinance's repeal.

On the morning of the 10th, the Gyeongnam School Reform Movement Headquarters held a press conference in front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council, asserting that the "Student Autonomy Ordinance" is an ordinance that falls short of the current paradigm shift in school education and should be abolished.

Kim Sang-kwon, the standing representative of the School Reform Movement Headquarters, explained at the press conference, "Students already sufficiently achieve the educational purpose of student autonomy by organizing various school events such as sports festivals and volunteer activities through the school operation committee."

He also pointed out, "Regulations on school autonomy are guaranteed under Article 17 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and any deficiencies can be addressed by supplementing school rules. Rather, the Gyeongnam Office of Education is forcibly revising school rules, which serve as the basis for student life guidance, focusing on students' freedom and equality, ignoring students' responsibilities and duties while demanding only freedom and rights."

As a result, even when students exhibit poor educational attitudes, teachers are experiencing difficulties in guiding students.

Representative Kim questioned, "If this ordinance is enacted, various student organizations will proliferate in schools, and progressive and conservative groups will be formed according to students' ideological tendencies. Do you really believe that elementary and secondary students can voluntarily form organizations and operate them democratically and rationally by themselves?"

He added, "I wonder whether it is necessary to enact this ordinance, which has more drawbacks than benefits, and whether it conflicts with the law. I demand that the Chairperson of the Education Committee nullify the submission of the 'Student Autonomy Ordinance'."