Report to Superintendent on Class Observation Results
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The education sector is strongly opposing the Ministry of Education's plan to mandate open classes in elementary, middle, and high schools. Teacher organizations and frontline teachers argue that mandating open classes amid ongoing teacher authority decline will increase surveillance-like complaints from parents and add to teachers' burdens.
On the 13th, the Ministry of Education announced a legislative notice for the 'Partial Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (Draft)'. Among these, the newly established Article 8, Paragraph 2 stipulates that "the principal shall establish and implement a plan for open classes at each school and report the results, including the frequency and content, to the superintendent of education" to ensure substantial open classes and sharing among teachers. Currently, open classes are conducted about once or twice a year at each school at the principal's discretion. This mandates those open classes. This is a follow-up measure to the 'Measures to Enhance the Competitiveness of Public Education' announced by the Ministry of Education in June, which stated that the system would be improved to activate open classes.
As this enforcement decree was announced for legislation, the education sector strongly opposed it. They argue that it is a measure that increases teachers' burdens amid growing anxiety caused by parental complaints. After the death of a teacher at Seoul Seoi Elementary School, it was reported that some schools repeatedly canceled scheduled open classes for parents.
The Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations stated on the 18th, "It is problematic to push for mandatory open classes and reporting to the superintendent of education when system improvements to support teachers focusing on teaching have not been completed," and added, "Rather than legislating open classes, prepare measures to encourage and support schools' autonomous open classes and sharing."
The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union also issued a statement on the 17th, saying, "Even now, during open classes, unnecessary evaluations and complaints pour in regarding teachers' attire, appearance, speech, classroom decoration, classroom temperature, and student seating arrangements, unrelated to the lesson content," and argued, "Granting principals separate authority to order open classes and requiring superintendents to receive reports is 'class censorship' that stifles teachers' educational activities."
Frontline teachers also expressed their burdens. Elementary school teacher A in their 20s said, "We already conduct open classes for parents and peer supervision classes once or twice a year each," and added, "The government's promise to protect teacher authority contradicts mandating open classes." Middle school teacher B in their 30s said, "Expanding open classes increases the workload, including face-to-face meetings with parents."
In response, the Ministry of Education said, "Open classes are already being conducted, and the enforcement decree reflects the opinions of city and provincial education offices requesting legal grounds for this," adding, "Since school classes are a public domain, opportunities for communication between teachers and parents (such as open classes) cannot be blocked."
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