Strengthening Mental Health Support and Psychological Treatment Programs
Following the death of an elementary school student in Daejeon, calls for mental health support for teachers have increased, leading to the establishment of a legal basis to support this.
On the 27th, the Ministry of Education announced that the amendment to the "Special Act on the Improvement of Teachers' Status and Protection of Educational Activities" was passed at the National Assembly plenary session. According to the amendment, superintendents of education offices nationwide must implement mental health promotion projects, including supporting counseling, testing, and treatment costs related to teachers' mental health, and operating programs for the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of mental illnesses. Additionally, these projects can be entrusted to medical institutions, and cooperation systems can be established after signing agreements with medical institutions. The enforcement date is six months after promulgation.
Along with this, the amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which will provide the legal basis for "online schools," also passed the plenary session on the same day. According to the amendment, students who wish to take subjects other than those offered at their affiliated schools can remotely attend part-time classes using broadcasting and information communication media.
The "Special Act on Repayment of Student Loans after Employment," which adjusts the interest rate cap on income-contingent student loans from 120% to 110% of the average yield of 3-year government bonds before each semester starts, also passed the National Assembly plenary session.
Furthermore, the amendment to the "Act on the Prevention and Countermeasures against School Violence," which allows superintendents or principals to request deletion support from the state or local governments without the request of victimized students or guardians, was also approved, emphasizing the need for rapid response in the early stages of distribution of child and youth sexual exploitation materials.
Other amendments passed in the plenary session include the amendment to the Education Officials Act, allowing appointing authorities to verify applicants' submitted documents during new university faculty recruitment, and the amendment to the School Health Act, requiring the Minister of Education and superintendents to establish plans for drug addiction and abuse prevention education annually in consultation with heads of central administrative agencies.
Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, stated, "The amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act has established the legal basis for online schools," adding, "This will expand students' opportunities to take various subjects and greatly contribute to the stabilization of the high school credit system."
He also added, "With the amendment to the Special Act on the Improvement of Teachers' Status, support for teachers' mental health will be strengthened, and I hope this will create a happy and healthy educational environment for both teachers and students."
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