Park Heeyul, Gwangju City Council Member, Calls for Improvement in Field Trip System

"Responsibility for Accidents Shifted to Teachers... Cancellations on the Rise"
"City Office of Education Must Take Proactive Measures"

Heeyul Park, Gwangju City Council Member.

Park Heeyul, a member of the Gwangju City Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Nam-gu 3), delivered a "5-minute free speech" during the 2nd plenary session of the 331st extraordinary meeting on the 7th, under the theme "Field Trip Learning Requires Systematic Measures, Not Shifting Responsibility to Teachers."

Park referred to the elementary school field trip accident that occurred in Sokcho, Gangwon Province in November 2022, criticizing the reality that all responsibility is being shifted onto teachers as a result of the incident. She noted that, consequently, there is a growing trend of canceling or replacing field trip programs, and that many elementary schools in Gwangju have also canceled their existing off-campus field trips.

Park expressed concern that the fear of being held solely responsible in the event of an accident may prevent students from fully experiencing field trips, resulting in educational losses. She emphasized that field trip learning is not just an outdoor activity but holds significant educational value, including fostering social skills, collaboration, practical thinking, and career exploration.

Park proposed several measures for the operation of field trip programs, including: conducting a comprehensive survey on the status of field trip programs across all elementary, middle, and high schools in Gwangju; a complete revision of the field trip operation manual in accordance with amendments to the School Safety Act; easing administrative barriers such as increasing the parental consent rate for overnight field trips; and providing legal consultation and psychological counseling programs to alleviate teachers' concerns.

Park stated, "Field trip learning is a form of living education that cannot be learned at a desk, and depriving students of this opportunity is a serious infringement on their right to education." She urged the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education to take responsible action and implement proactive institutional improvements.