[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The grounds for principals and teachers to guide students in accordance with laws and school regulations will be specified in related legislation.
On the 8th, the Ministry of Education announced that a partial amendment to the "Elementary and Secondary Education Act" containing these provisions was passed at the plenary session of the National Assembly. The amended "Elementary and Secondary Education Act" newly includes a clause stating that principals and teachers can guide students according to laws and school regulations when necessary to protect students' human rights and for teachers' educational activities. The Ministry of Education expects that the amendment will help maintain school order and guarantee the learning rights of other students.
Additionally, the amended Elementary and Secondary Education Act revised Article 28, "Education for Students with Learning Difficulties," to "Education for Students Experiencing Academic Difficulties." The scope of support was expanded by adding "students who show signs of dropping out or have expressed an intention to drop out, and other students at risk of dropping out" to the support targets. It also stipulates that the state and local governments can conduct annual surveys on students experiencing academic difficulties to ensure systematic management.
The partial amendment to the "Special Act on Repayment of Student Loans after Employment" also passed the National Assembly. This law mainly raises the maximum fine from 1 million won to 3 million won for students who received income-contingent student loans but fail to report plans for overseas migration or studying abroad.
The "Special Act on the Improvement of Teachers' Status and Protection of Educational Activities" was also partially amended. To ensure stable operation of the Teacher Appeal Review Committee, a provision was established allowing committee members to continue performing their duties even after their term expires if a successor has not been found. The partial amendment to the "Basic Qualifications Act," which allows management and supervision of not only national qualifications but also private qualifications, also passed the National Assembly.
However, the "Special Act on the Improvement of Teachers' Status and Protection of Educational Activities" (Teacher Status Act), which would allow recording measures taken in the school life record for serious infringements of students' educational activities, did not pass the National Assembly this time.
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