"Serious Violations of Teacher Rights, but Protection Remains Insufficient"

91 Cases Reviewed by Jeonnam Teacher Rights Committee... Concentration in Middle Schools
Protective Measures for Only Half of Victimized Teachers Spark Debate Over Effectiveness

Cases of disruption to educational activities, as well as instances of teacher insult and defamation, continue to occur in schools in the Jeonnam region, but protective measures for teachers remain insufficient.

According to the Jeonnam Teachers' Union on May 14, the number of cases reviewed by the Teacher Rights Protection Committee in the Jeonnam region reached 91 last year. As of May 1 this year, 10 cases have been reviewed. By school level, middle schools accounted for the highest proportion, with 53 cases (58.2%) in 2024 and 5 cases (50%) in 2025. This is similar to the national average of 58.8%, indicating that violations of teacher rights are concentrated in middle schools.

In contrast, in special schools in the Jeonnam region, there were no reviews by the Teacher Rights Protection Committee in either 2024 or 2025. Among the 13 regions nationwide with more than 1,000 special school students, only Seoul (4,510 students) and Jeonnam (1,241 students) had zero committee meetings held.

A representative of the Jeonnam Teachers' Union stated, "Students were responsible for 94.2% of the violations of educational activities, while guardians and others accounted for 5.8%, meaning that most cases were caused by students." The representative added, "Of these, 60.9% resulted in measures of suspension or higher, significantly exceeding the national average of 43.5%." The representative continued, "This indicates that violations of educational activities in the Jeonnam region are relatively more intentional, severe, and recurrent. Nevertheless, support and protection for victimized teachers remain insufficient."

According to the union, only 45% of the cases reviewed by the Teacher Rights Protection Committee actually resulted in confirmed administrative measures, and for the remaining cases, it is unclear whether any substantial protective action was taken.

The Jeonnam Office of Education specified in its 2020 collective agreement with the Jeonnam Teachers' Union that teachers who are confirmed victims of rights violations or sexual harassment and are deemed to require protection can be transferred irregularly upon request. However, the union explained that if teachers do not have enough points required for personnel transfers, it is still difficult for them to leave the region where the violation occurred.

A union representative urged, "A comprehensive survey of violations in educational settings should be conducted immediately, and substantial protective measures should be implemented, such as operating mid- and long-term psychological healing programs and promptly carrying out irregular transfers upon request from victimized teachers." The representative also emphasized, "To eradicate the practice among some school administrators of downplaying teacher victimization, regular mandatory training on the protection of educational activities and teacher rights for administrators should be strengthened."