Lee Ju-ho: "National Assembly, promptly pass legislation to protect teachers' authority"… promises active response

Teacher Competency Development Evaluation "1-Year Postponement Under Review"

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho urged the National Assembly to swiftly pass the bill protecting teachers' rights. Regarding the consecutive deaths of teachers, he expressed his sincere apology once again, saying, "I feel a grave sense of responsibility."

On the 11th, Minister Lee held an emergency briefing at the Government Seoul Office and said, "Since the tragic death of a teacher at Seoi Elementary School on July 18, several teachers have made extreme choices one after another. As the Minister of Education, I feel a heavy responsibility," adding, "The Ministry of Education recognizes stabilizing the school field through prompt measures to restore teachers' rights as the top priority."

He continued, "The Ministry of Education is fully aware that without the passage of the four major legislative bills protecting teachers' rights?the Teacher Status Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Early Childhood Education Act, and the Framework Act on Education?it will be difficult to resolve the difficulties faced in the field, and we are supporting the completion of legislation as soon as possible," emphasizing this point.

He said, "Through the four-party consultative body consisting of the ruling and opposition parties, the government, and metropolitan and provincial superintendents of education, we are cooperating with the National Assembly to ensure that bills related to teachers' rights, such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Teacher Status Act, are legislated promptly," adding, "Since August, we have actively participated and collaborated in the legislative review process to resolve contentious issues related to the bills during the four sessions of the National Assembly Education Committee's bill review subcommittee."

He also said, "We urge the National Assembly to respond to the earnest demands of 500,000 teachers and to swiftly pass all bills agreed upon by the ruling and opposition parties and the government on September 1," warning, "If the passage of the bills is delayed, many discussions and efforts to normalize the educational field may be frustrated, and the damage could return to teachers, parents, and students in the school field."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He stated, "On September 2, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the National Police Agency, along with other related ministries involved in child abuse, formed a joint task force to improve the legal enforcement process to protect teachers from indiscriminate child abuse reports," and added, "We will support all teachers who wish to receive mental health assessments during the second semester."

He continued, "I once again ask the National Assembly to promptly pass the legislation protecting teachers' rights. The Ministry of Education will maintain an open attitude throughout the legislative discussion process and actively strive to create a ‘school for all’ where students, teachers, and parents?the three main stakeholders in education?can respect and trust each other."

In response to reporters' questions about the recent consecutive deaths of teachers, Deputy Prime Minister Lee said, "I apologize once again," adding, "As the head of the Ministry of Education, I have never felt such a heavy heart and grave sense of responsibility. This time, we will definitely restore teachers' rights."

Regarding the abolition of the Teacher Competency Development Evaluation, he said, "We have also decided to consider a one-year grace period," and responded, "If possible, we will make a swift decision to avoid confusion in the field."