Lee Jae-myung, Democratic Party Leader, Visits Elementary School for Meeting
"A Child-Friendly Environment... The Role of the State is Important"
Targets Ruling Party, "Requests 16.5 Billion Won Increase in Next Year's Pilot Budget"
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed the 'Neighborhood Elementary Care' policy as the second major pledge for the general election and embarked on an on-site campaign. Following the launch of livelihood policies with the first pledge of the general election, 'Coverage of Nursing Hospital Care Costs,' he pressured the ruling party by promising an increase in next year's childcare budget.
On the afternoon of the 6th, Lee visited Banghwa Elementary School in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and held an on-site meeting for the 'Neighborhood Elementary Care' policy. Lee pointed out that the issue of 'low birthrate' is socially serious and emphasized that educational system reform is urgently needed to improve this situation.
Lee said, "The number of elementary school entrants this year has decreased to 400,000," adding, "Last year, the number of newborns was about 260,000, and the fertility rate reached about 0.7." He emphasized, "The biggest cause is the burden on parents for child-rearing, childcare, and education."
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is taking photos with children in a care classroom before the 'Neighborhood Elementary Care' policy field meeting at Banghwa Elementary School in Gangseo-gu, Seoul on the 6th. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
The 'Neighborhood Elementary Care' policy proposed by the Democratic Party centers on organically linking and supporting the government, local governments, and education offices through 'Talent Schools.' It aims to improve issues observed in the current Neulbom Schools, such as ▲excessive teacher workload ▲poor operation of care programs ▲lack of space, and to establish a more systematic care system. This is interpreted as an extension of Lee's presidential pledge for a 'State Responsibility System for Childcare.'
Lee emphasized again while presenting this policy, "Education is a national long-term plan and a practical issue faced by parents raising children," adding, "It is also a matter concerning the future of the elementary school students themselves, so comprehensive measures at the national level are necessary." He particularly added, "The Democratic Party will thoroughly prepare to establish this policy beyond pilot projects."
Lee Gae-ho, chairman of the Policy Committee, highlighted the importance of the care policy and sharply criticized the Yoon Seok-youl administration. The chairman said, "The state should create an environment conducive to raising children, but the Neulbom Schools promoted by the Yoon administration shift the burden solely onto schools, making on-site care extremely inadequate," pointing out, "Due to time-filling education courses, the actual utilization rate is only 0.5%."
The chairman reiterated, "Starting next year, we plan to launch a pilot project for Neighborhood Elementary Care and are requesting a budget increase of 16.5 billion won." Assemblyman Kim Young-ho added to the importance of 'care' by recalling the school violence issue involving the child of Kim Seung-hee, Protocol Secretary at the Presidential Office. Kim pointed out, "At that time, three instances of school violence occurred before and after care hours, but teachers did not intervene in after-school student management."
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the 'On Neighborhood Elementary Care' field meeting held at Banghwa Elementary School in Gangseo-gu, Seoul on the 6th. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
A Democratic Party official stated, "Elementary care directly operated by local governments has already been successfully run in Jung-gu, Seoul, with 94% of parents expressing satisfaction." The Democratic Party plans to pilot the program starting in overcrowded and oversized class areas with high care demand and then expand it nationwide. It is also known that they intend to prepare supporting legislation promptly.
Meanwhile, Lee Jae-myung criticized the Yoon Seok-youl administration at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, saying, "The Yoon government shifted the burden to schools, causing excessive workload, which negatively affects regular education." He urged the ruling party, saying, "(The Democratic Party) is requesting a 16.5 billion won budget increase related to the pilot project next year," and added, "In a national crisis, there should be no division between the ruling and opposition parties."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
