Education Minister Holds 100-Day Inauguration Press Conference
"Teachers' Basic Political Rights Should Be Guaranteed Like Those of All Citizens"
No Plans to Halt Student-Centered Integrated Support Act
Choi Gyojin, Minister of Education, stated regarding demands to guarantee teachers' basic political rights, "I believe that the minimum expression of opinion, such as leaving a simple comment or 'liking' a policy on social media, should be considered a basic right." Regarding teachers' organizations calling for the revision of the Student-Centered Integrated Support Act and a suspension of related projects, he maintained his position, saying, "We will prepare to operate according to the original intent."
At the 100-day inauguration press conference held at the Government Sejong Complex on the afternoon of the 22nd, Minister Choi responded to a question about teachers' basic political rights by saying, "It would be desirable for the basic political rights of teachers and public officials to be guaranteed, just as they are for all citizens."
Education Minister Choi Gyojin is answering questions at a press conference marking 100 days since his inauguration held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 22nd. Photo by Ministry of Education
He explained, "In particular, nearly half of high school seniors are eligible voters, so they can join political parties and participate in all activities. For these students, we should allow them to discuss how to view policies and to debate for or against them. However, the current atmosphere is such that teachers must be extremely cautious even as they teach."
Regarding concerns that teachers' political activities on social media could influence students, Minister Choi replied, "I don't think simply 'liking' something would directly influence students." He added, "Ordinary citizens can also express their opinions about someone, but if they slander or make baseless claims, they can be punished by law. I think it is excessive to worry that students would search for and follow every comment their teachers make online."
However, he emphasized that political neutrality must be maintained in the classroom. Minister Choi stated, "This is about granting basic political rights as individuals after leaving school. Political neutrality should be even more strictly maintained in the classroom, and the Ministry of Education must thoroughly discuss and prepare how to respond when this is not observed."
He also announced that the Student-Centered Integrated Support Act, scheduled to take effect in March next year, will proceed as originally planned. This law aims to identify and support students struggling with basic academic skills or facing psychological, emotional, or economic difficulties at an early stage, and teachers' organizations have previously supported its enactment. However, dissatisfaction has recently emerged in the field as examples such as 'repairing student home bathrooms' and 'providing breakfast for students' were introduced as best practices.
In response, Minister Choi emphasized, "We will do our best to fulfill the original purpose that we all agreed upon at the outset. We have no intention of stopping or delaying the system without even trying it." He added, "The original aim of the Student-Centered Integrated Support Act was not to make teachers solely responsible for each student, but to restructure support work so that agencies could cooperate in areas such as learning, welfare, career guidance, and counseling. We will inform everyone of this original intent and work with local offices and communities to provide the necessary support for students, preparing even more thoroughly."
Minister Choi took a cautious stance regarding the issue of recording violations of teachers' rights in student records, similar to school violence cases. He explained, "There are opinions in the field that we should strengthen responses to violations of teachers' rights, but there are also considerable opposing views. We have not yet finalized the issue of recording such cases in student records. We will gather more opinions."
Meanwhile, Minister Choi introduced the restoration of the school community based on strengthening democratic citizenship and history education, and plans to foster regional universities for balanced national development, as major work priorities.
Minister Choi stated, "Education should be about students taking the lead and growing as democratic citizens, and the restoration of the educational community that supports this is the essence of education. The foundation of education is to firmly support students so that they can grow up happy and healthy as members of a democratic society."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
