Contains Mandatory Measures for Teacher Rights Violations
Prior Consultation Application, Special Student Management Guidelines, etc.
Disciplinary Actions Specified for Teacher Rights Violations in Kindergartens as Well
The Ministry of Education announced a notice that allows immediate separation measures for students disrupting classes to protect teachers' authority. A separate notice was also issued for kindergarten teachers, enabling measures such as suspension or expulsion if educational activities are infringed upon.
On the 17th, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho held a briefing at the annex of the Government Seoul Office and unveiled the "Notice on Teachers' Student Life Guidance" and the "Notice for Protecting Kindergarten Teachers' Educational Activities." The Ministry plans to apply these two notices starting from the second semester.
Following the "Seoicho Incident" last month, cases of infringement on teachers' authority have been reported continuously, raising concerns that related laws and notices lack specific regulations on situations infringing educational activities. In response, the education authorities expressed their intention to promptly prepare the notices.
The Ministry specified that for elementary and secondary school teachers, when class disruption by students occurs, they may separate and store items, physically restrain, or separate students (inside or outside the classroom). In particular, students who do not comply with the principle of prohibiting mobile phone use during class may be warned or have their phones separated and stored. Additionally, if a student intentionally disrupts educational activities by disobeying the teacher's guidance, it will be regarded as an infringement on educational activities, and the principal may request disciplinary action.
Details regarding consultations between teachers and guardians were also specified. If teachers and guardians wish to consult, they should agree in advance on the time and method. However, teachers may refuse consultation requests outside working hours or job scope, and may stop consultations if verbal abuse, threats, or violence occur during the consultation.
Guidelines for managing special education students were included as well. Instruction should consider the characteristics of special education students, and principals should support cooperation between special education teachers and integrated class teachers. Teachers may advise guardians to recommend expert evaluation, consultation, or treatment if they judge expert intervention is necessary for the student's development.
A notice outlining procedures for handling infringements on educational activities by kindergarten teachers was also prepared. If guardians commit infringement acts, measures such as suspension, expulsion of the child, and requiring guardians to attend parent education and counseling may be taken according to kindergarten rules. Kindergartens may also restrict consultation requests from non-guardians or consultations that have not been agreed upon.
The Ministry of Education plans to announce and enforce the notice on the 1st of next month after a 10-day administrative notice period starting from the 18th, allowing comprehensive review and application at schools from the new semester.
Deputy Prime Minister Lee said, "The preparation of this notice is expected to be a significant opportunity to restore broken classrooms to make 'classrooms truly classrooms' and to transform balanced schools for all into 'schools truly schools.' We will do our best to complete reasonable standards for student life guidance so that teachers can engage in educational activities with peace of mind and actively."
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