Comprehensive Investigation into Ribak School: "No Issues with Instructors or Programs"
Operation of School Library Development Committee and Permanent Inspection Team
Establishment of 'Asia-ui Youth Constitutional Education Center'
The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education announced on August 20 at the Suncheonman Ecological Culture Education Center, during a meeting with the Bereaved Families Association of the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident, that it would "thoroughly block the reintroduction of history-distorting books into educational settings."
This meeting was organized so that the Jeonnam Office of Education could directly hear the voices of the bereaved families and explain future implementation plans in response to the recurrence prevention measures requested by the families during a closed-door meeting on August 4.
Previously, the Office of Education conducted a comprehensive investigation into suspicions raised by Newstapa regarding Ribak School Neulbom School's outsourced instructors and programs, confirming that there were no Ribak School-related instructors or programs in the province. The Office also explained to the bereaved families that books related to Ribak School, which became an issue on July 10, were not included in the initial investigation at that time.
Furthermore, after the meeting with the bereaved families on August 4, the Office established and has been operating a "Task Force for Preventing the Reintroduction of History-Distorting Materials" to develop practical measures. Since August 11, it has been conducting a comprehensive survey in schools throughout the province to check for the presence of books related to historical distortion and pro-Japanese legacies.
During the meeting, the Office of Education explained the prepared countermeasures to the bereaved families and gathered their feedback, stating, "We will systematically implement measures to prevent the reintroduction of history-distorting books." The measures include: ▲ strengthening the functions of the School Library Development Committee ▲ operating a permanent inspection team for history-distorting books ▲ conducting education to foster historical awareness and Jeonnam-ui education ▲ establishing the Asia-ui Youth Constitutional Education Center ▲ enhancing audits of school library material purchases and inspections ▲ and strengthening the deliberative functions of the School Library Operation Committee.
In particular, the Office plans to reinforce book selection and review by adding civic group activists and history experts to the School Library Development Committee, and to pursue continuous monitoring by operating a "Permanent School Book Inspection Team."
An official from the Office of Education stated, "Taking this incident as a lesson, we will establish the Asia-ui Youth Constitutional Education Center, including Yeosu 10·19 Peace and Human Rights Education, to promote proper historical awareness and K-democracy education, and we will strengthen Jeonnam-ui education to foster a sense of historical community in the region."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
