10·16 Seoul Superintendent By-election '5 Major Pledges'
Each Candidate Strengthens Support for Vulnerable Groups and Special Students
Establishment of 'Teacher Rights Protection' Ordinance, Deployment of Professionals
Building a Care System to Solve Childcare Issues
Expansion of Arts and Physical Education Hours, Strengthening of Professionals
The campaign battles among candidates running in the October 16 Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent by-election have intensified. While the conservative side emphasizes "restoring normalcy to Seoul education," and the progressive side raises issues such as "judging historical distortion," their common pledges also stand out.
In particular, candidates Yoon Ho-sang, Jeong Geun-sik, Jo Jeon-hyeok, and Choi Bo-seon all submitted pledges to strengthen support for vulnerable groups and special classes. Promises related to educational issues such as protecting teachers' rights and child care, as well as enhancing creativity through arts and physical education, were also common.
All 4 candidates pledge to "close gaps"
Comparing the five major pledges submitted to the National Election Commission on the 4th, all candidates proposed support measures to reduce educational disparities for vulnerable groups, special needs students, and those with learning difficulties. Candidate Jeong announced plans to establish a "Learning Diagnosis and Healing Center (tentative name)" to diagnose and treat issues such as learning difficulties and borderline intelligence among students.
Candidate Jo also pledged to strengthen support for out-of-school youth and socially disadvantaged students. He promised to establish a rapid support system for students at risk of disabilities and to enhance support for special education, including increasing the number of special education teachers.
Candidate Choi likewise pledged to create a 1 trillion won fund to support vulnerable groups. Candidate Yoon promised to establish special schools in each autonomous district and strengthen support for parents of students in special classes.
Protecting teachers' rights, solving child care issues
Candidate Jo said he would create a Teacher Rights Protection Officer to safeguard teachers' legitimate educational activities and introduce an ordinance to separate students who disrupt classes. He previously opposed the Student Rights Ordinance and emphasized strengthening students' duties and responsibilities by proposing a Student Rights and Duties Ordinance.
Candidate Yoon pledged to create a "dedicated complaint response team" to prevent infringements on teachers' rights and to deploy external specialists dedicated to student guidance. He also included policies for direct support to teaching staff, such as providing approximately 1 million won annually for teacher research expenses and covering 50% of graduate school tuition for teachers.
Candidate Jo presented child care pledges to stabilize the "Neulbom School" and integrated kindergarten policies promoted by the Ministry of Education. Specifically, he proposed establishing "drop-off and pick-up care stations" at transportation hubs during commuting hours and regional hubs. He also announced plans to introduce an "Idol Care Circulation Bus" that visits children's hub facilities.
Candidate Yoon emphasized all-day care for infants and toddlers and the establishment of a 24-hour emergency care system. He also pledged to establish integrated care centers for kindergarten and elementary students by region. Additionally, he promised full support for after-school program fees and to build public-type after-school learning centers under each education support office.
Enhancing creativity through arts and physical education
Some candidates presented pledges to strengthen arts and physical education. Candidate Jeong emphasized creativity education and pledged to revitalize cultural, artistic, and physical education. To this end, he promised to expand related spaces and increase arts and physical activities in elementary, middle, and high schools.
Candidate Jo proposed "Cheinji (體仁智) education," declaring plans to strengthen physical education and character education. This includes increasing focused physical education time and reinforcing specialized personnel for entrance exam guidance at arts and physical education-focused schools.
Meanwhile, regarding funding methods, all four candidates only stated that they would utilize the education office's own budget and local government budgets, without presenting specific plans.
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