Problematic Teacher on 2-Month Sick Leave... Reported to Police for Child Abuse
Parents Demand "Teacher Must Leave the Classroom"
Statement of an elementary school student in Gyeongsangnam-do. It records the teacher's harsh words, described as "Things the first-grade teacher said." Photo by a parent of A Elementary School
[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] In a rural elementary school in Gyeongsangnam-do with fewer than 100 students in total, some students collectively refused to attend school due to allegations of child abuse by a teacher, prompting a police investigation.
Fifth-grade students at A Elementary School in Gyeongnam have been refusing to attend school since the 21st in protest against the verbal abuse by teacher B. Established during the Japanese colonial period and boasting a history of over 100 years, this school currently has only one fifth-grade class with 12 students.
According to statements from students provided by parents, teacher B’s verbal abuse is so shocking and unbelievable that even fellow teachers find it hard to believe.
The students’ statements include insults such as "Your parents hate you and are raising you as a monster," "The reason I called you dog XX is because dogs are treated better than people these days," "Are you even a student doing this? Go farm," "Your parents don’t love you," "Bringing your parents here is an infringement on teacher authority," "You are worse at studying than first graders, XX," and "Call the first graders ‘older siblings’."
They also reported that teacher B said, "If you have a boyfriend or girlfriend, you can leave your phone and cosmetics on the desk," but the children could not understand why such comments were made.
The children explained that this child abuse by teacher B, who was the first-grade homeroom teacher, began after this summer vacation. Additionally, the fifth-grade homeroom teacher, who is responsible for the class, was aware that the students were mentally shocked by teacher B’s verbal abuse but took no significant action, drawing criticism from parents.
Parents, having learned of these facts from their children, strongly protested to the school and met with the principal on the 24th to discuss the disciplinary measures for teacher B and the fifth-grade homeroom teacher.
According to a parent representative, the principal apologized at the meeting, saying, "I am sorry," and announced that teacher B and the fifth-grade homeroom teacher would be placed on a two-month medical leave and then transferred to another school. However, parents insisted that teacher B should apologize directly to the students and parents and leave the teaching profession, fearing that verbal abuse and child abuse might continue if teacher B were transferred to another school.
Furthermore, they demanded psychological treatment for the students, which the school agreed to provide.
As the situation escalated, teacher B officially apologized on the 25th in a meeting with students and parents. He first said to the parents, "I am sorry," then told the students, "I am sorry for hurting your feelings with inappropriate words and actions. I deeply reflect on my behavior. I was not in my right mind when I disparaged your parents. I will reflect more and study so I can stand before you again..."
He expressed that he had been personally struggling and asked the children if they could accept his apology. However, most of the children responded negatively. Teacher B asked again, "While the kids forgive me, I will take a break from school. Could you give me another chance?" but the children’s reactions remained cold.
An education office official said, "This is the first time I have seen such a case since joining the teaching profession. Since investigations into child abuse allegations are being conducted simultaneously by the police and the county office, we will make a judgment after reviewing the results."
A parent representative said, "Although teacher B apologized, he implied he wanted to return to the classroom, but all parents oppose this. We believe teacher B and the children should not be together."
The students have begun psychological treatment, and their return to school will be decided based on future developments.
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