Ministry of Education to Introduce 'Probationary Teacher System'... Pilot Operation in Four Education Offices Starting March Next Year

Pilot Operation for 140 Prospective Appointees
Next Year

The Ministry of Education will pilot the 'Probationary Teacher System,' which requires a practical field training period before the official appointment of teachers starting next year.

On the 18th, the Ministry of Education announced that four education offices (Daejeon, Sejong, Gyeonggi, and Gyeongbuk Education Offices) will participate in the pilot operation of the 'New Teacher Competency Enhancement Model Development' containing this plan.

Earlier, in May, during the 24th Together Talk under the theme "The Future of Education Field Desired by the Young Generation," new teachers proposed the necessity of a probationary period for teachers.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Education will implement the probationary teacher system for those waiting for appointment in the 2025 academic year who have no teaching experience, such as temporary teachers. This is a temporary position, where they will work alongside a mentor teacher for guidance and counseling within the school and undergo competency enhancement programs during the practical training period.

Yonhap News

The four education offices participating in the pilot will operate new teacher competency enhancement programs from March to August next year for those who wish to participate.

The total number of participants is ▲Daejeon Education Office (20 people) ▲Sejong Education Office (10 people) ▲Gyeonggi Education Office (90 people) ▲Gyeongbuk Education Office (20 people), totaling 140 people.

The Ministry of Education and the pilot education offices will jointly prepare competency enhancement programs that help new teachers adapt to schools and improve their professional expertise. They will also conduct research and analysis throughout the operation to verify the effectiveness of the pilot and identify areas for improvement.

Additionally, discussions on institutionalizing the status, roles, salaries, and treatment of probationary teachers, as well as plans for gradual expansion, will be held with a 'social consultative body' that includes teachers, prospective teachers, education offices, and teacher training institutions.

An official from the Ministry of Education explained, "After about one to two years of pilot operation, the goal is to fully introduce the system through legislation," adding, "The program is open to all, regardless of elementary or secondary levels."