Still Using Squat Toilets in Seoul Schools? ...Complete Replacement by Year-End

Discussion with Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on improving school facilities including full replacement of squat toilets in 26% of People Power Party Seoul schools; second supplementary budget reflecting replacement costs submitted to Seoul City Council... Choi Ho-jeong, People Power Party floor leader, continues on-site communication with 'School Visit Promotion Team' for educational environment improvement

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] By the end of this year, squatting toilets will disappear from schools in Seoul.

The People Power Party in the Seoul Metropolitan Council announced that all squatting toilets in Seoul schools will be completely replaced within the year. Led by Representative Choi Ho-jung, the People Power Party held an emergency meeting with the Office of Education on the 11th to inspect preparations for heavy rain damage. At this meeting, they discussed improvements to school facilities, including the complete replacement of squatting toilets, which account for 26% of Seoul schools. The Office of Education submitted a revised second supplementary budget proposal reflecting replacement costs to the Seoul Metropolitan Council within five days.

This revised supplementary budget includes costs for replacing 23,057 toilets in 1,055 schools across Seoul, expenses for heating and cooling facilities needed in some schools (392 cases), and costs for a full survey of 192 retaining walls as part of future flood damage countermeasures, reflecting the agreement between both parties.

The People Power Party in the Seoul Metropolitan Council (lead representatives Choi Ho-jung, Seocho 4) considers the current measures for improving school environments and flood countermeasures insufficient and plans to adjust the supplementary budget through communication with schools and parents via the school visit promotion team.

The People Power Party in the Seoul Metropolitan Council has been conducting school site visits for three days starting from the 16th. On the 16th, they visited six elementary, middle, and high schools in the Dobong, Nowon, and Dongjak areas to inspect facilities for educational environment improvements and hold meetings with parents.

Attending the school visits were People Power Party lead representative Choi Ho-jung, Vice Chairman of the Education Committee Ko Gwang-min, Education Committee members Kim Hye-young, Lee Hee-won, and Jung Ji-woong. Also present were city council members from the visited areas: Shin Dong-won (Nowon 1), Yoon Ki-seop (Nowon 5), Lee Kyung-sook (Dobong 1), Park Seok (Dobong 3), Lee Eun-rim (Dobong 4), along with Kim Jae-seop, Dobong Gap Party Committee Chair, Kim Seon-dong, Dobong Eul Party Committee Chair, and Na Kyung-won, Dongjak Eul Party Committee Chair. Dobong District Mayor Oh Eun-seok, the Northern Education Support Office’s Administrative Support Director, and Facility Support Manager also attended to reflect on-site voices in administration.

At the school sites, they investigated recurring classroom leaks, drainage issues on playgrounds, broken windows, and other school safety conditions, and heard stories from children suffering due to squatting toilets. In particular, they confirmed the severe flood damage at Kyungmoon High School in Dongjak District, where the back gate was covered with soil, and agreed that support must be provided to ensure no disruption to the academic schedule before the new semester.

Each school had various improvement needs. Requests poured in for improvements to aging school facilities that have been delayed due to evaluation criteria and priorities, including heating and cooling system upgrades, LED lighting installation, playground shade installation, and installation of Arisu replacement drinking fountains.

Attendees especially agreed that the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education lacked proactive support policies and expressed critical opinions about the supplementary budget proposal that did not reflect on-site opinions.

Representative Choi Ho-jung, who led the school visits, said, “Rainwater drains were installed in the center of classrooms before the school opened, and waterproof tape was stuck here and there on the rooftop. The site where soil was piled up at the school entrance looked dangerous at a glance.” He added, “It pains me to see that the damage caused by the Office of Education’s habitual budget allocation and complacent response has been directly passed on to the children.”

He also stated, “Although the Office of Education’s supplementary budget adjustment includes some school environment improvements such as the complete replacement of squatting toilets, many parts are still insufficient. I will listen to voices from the field until the last schedule of school visits and strive to reflect them in policies and budget for the safety and enjoyable school life of children.”