Gwangju Office of Education Proposes 'Retirement Training for Teachers'... Unions Welcome Initiative

Korean Teachers' Union and Teachers' Union: "Necessary for Fairness and Welfare"
"Urgent Need to Support Social Adaptation for Teachers Approaching Retirement"

Gwangju Office of Education has proposed an institutional improvement to allow teachers to receive honorary sabbatical training before retirement, similar to general public officials. In response, local teachers' organizations have expressed their support for the initiative.

On April 30, the Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union issued a press release stating, "Teachers approaching retirement should be assisted in preparing for a successful return to society through customized training." The union added, "The proposal by the Gwangju Office of Education will have a positive impact on revitalizing the teaching community and improving overall satisfaction."

The union pointed out, "While general and certain categories of public officials have received various forms of support for social adaptation starting one year before retirement, teachers have been excluded from such benefits."

The Gwangju Teachers' Union also commented the previous day, "Retirement preparation training for teachers, commonly referred to as 'honorary sabbatical,' has been consistently recognized as necessary." The union continued, "However, under current laws and regulations, teachers are not eligible for the same provisions as general public officials."

The union further stated, "Although the Council of Provincial and Metropolitan Superintendents of Education had reviewed the proposal, it was not adopted due to differing opinions among some regional offices." The union added, "We highly appreciate the independent initiative taken by the Gwangju Office of Education and hope that this discussion will expand nationwide."

On April 28, the Gwangju Office of Education officially submitted a request to the Ministry of Education, asking for an amendment to relevant laws to allow teachers scheduled for mandatory retirement to receive retirement preparation training, such as honorary sabbatical, starting one year prior to retirement.

An official from the Office of Education stated, "This measure is intended to simultaneously achieve two objectives: facilitating the smooth social adaptation of those approaching retirement and expanding the appointment of new teachers." The official added, "We hope this will serve as an opportunity to resolve longstanding issues of fairness and unmet needs within the education sector."