Jeon-gyo-jo Urges Amendment of Law to Cap Class Size at 20 Students per Class

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Metropolitan City branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) has reported the successful legislative petition for a 100,000-signature campaign to cap the number of students per class at 20 and urged for legal amendments.

On the 23rd, the Gwangju branch of KTU stated in a press release, "The National Assembly should prioritize the legislation to cap the number of students per class at 20 and immediately enact the law, and the government should establish a government-wide organization to promptly implement the reduction of students per class."

They said, "The petition campaign to cap the number of students per class at 20, which started on the 1st, is to ensure that all students can receive safe and equal education under any disaster situation," adding, "As education experts, we judged that creating such an environment is an essential prerequisite for children's growth and development."

They continued, "During the petition period, banners demanding the 20-student cap were hung in elementary, middle, and high schools in Gwangju, placards demanding the 20-student cap were placed in alleys and intersections, and on SNS, there was a relay of certification photos of legislative petition agreements from teachers, students, parents, civic groups, and local residents," asserting, "This is a nationwide demand to prevent our children from suffering in overcrowded classes and evidence that this is a priority task that can no longer be delayed."

They also emphasized, "According to materials from a National Assembly forum held on May 25, 2021, titled 'Number of Students per Class and Teacher Quotas for the Future,' it is estimated that expanding classrooms to increase the number of classes to resolve overcrowded classes will require a total budget of 13.7293 trillion won over five years," adding, "The estimated cost of the Gadeokdo New Airport project is up to 28.6 trillion won, so considering the equal guarantee of students' rights to safe and equal education under any disaster situation, this is by no means a large budget."

Furthermore, they explained, "Although a plan for full attendance in the second semester was announced, in overcrowded schools, it is impossible to guarantee quarantine measures, making the decision for full attendance uncertain," and added, "Resolving overcrowded classes can no longer be postponed and must be urgently addressed to restore education equality deepened by COVID-19 through quality public education."

They concluded, "Based on the strength of education stakeholders and public support, we will realize the 20-student cap per class and create an educational environment that enables safe and high-quality lessons."