Student Rights Violations Increased 1.94 Times in One Year... 'Insult and Defamation' Most Common

1089 Cases in 2020 → 2109 Cases in 2021
Most Common: Insults, Assault and Injury, Sexual Humiliation

A classroom in a middle school in Seoul (Photo unrelated to the article content)

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Recently, a controversy arose when a male student at a middle school in Chungnam filmed a teacher with a smartphone during class, and it has been revealed that the number of cases of student infringement on teachers' authority increased by 1.94 times over the past year.

On the 25th, Kang Deuk-gu, a member of the National Assembly's Education Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, received data from the Ministry of Education titled 'Status of Reports and Actions by the Teacher's Authority Protection Committee,' which showed that cases of infringement on teachers' authority by students increased from 1,089 in 2020 to 2,109 in 2021.

Among the cases reported last year, 'insult and defamation' accounted for the largest portion at 57.6% (1,215 cases). This was followed by △ bodily injury and assault 10.9% (229 cases) △ acts causing sexual humiliation or disgust 9.7% (205 cases) △ repeated unjust interference with legitimate educational activities 4.1% (86 cases).

By region, the cases were distributed as follows: △ Gyeonggi 539 cases △ Seoul 249 cases △ Gangwon 151 cases △ Chungnam 148 cases △ Gyeongbuk 134 cases △ Daegu 115 cases △ Jeonbuk 101 cases △ Busan 93 cases △ Gyeongnam 88 cases △ Ulsan 88 cases △ Jeonnam 85 cases △ Incheon 66 cases △ Gwangju 64 cases △ Daejeon 59 cases △ Chungbuk 59 cases △ Jeju 40 cases △ Sejong 30 cases.

Regarding measures taken against student perpetrators related to teacher authority infringement last year, suspension from attendance accounted for the largest portion at 45.4% (929 cases), followed by △ school service 14.0% (287 cases) △ completion of special education 11.5% (235 cases) △ transfer disposition 8.8% (180 cases) △ community service 7.4% (151 cases) △ expulsion 2.3% (47 cases). Other measures, including class reassignment, totaled 219 cases.

On the 5th, Assemblyman Kang Deuk-gu proposed a partial amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (commonly known as the School Life Guidance Act), which clarifies the authority of teachers necessary for educational guidance.

Assemblyman Kang Deuk-gu stated, "Considering the number of cases not reported due to teachers not wanting to refer students to the Teacher's Authority Protection Committee or the internal atmosphere of schools, the actual number is likely much higher." He added, "The Ministry of Education must establish fundamental measures to separate teachers who suffer infringement of their educational activities from the offending students and actively consider ways to guarantee the learning rights of the majority of students."