[Suwan News = Reporter Yoon Byung-ik] The Ministry of Education has issued a stern warning that it will take measures—including dismissal, removal from office, and criminal prosecution—against any teacher who simply attends the “Day to Halt Public Education” rally scheduled for the 4th, which coincides with the 49th-day memorial service for the deceased teacher at Seo-i Elementary School.
In response to these measures by the Ministry of Education, the Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations proposed a compromise to hold meetings in the evening after work hours, while the Korean Teachers and Education Workers’ Union pointed out that “far from acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, the government is abusing its authority by attempting to silence these voices through indiscriminate threats of disciplinary action.” They went on to ask, “Does the government even have the will to resolve this issue?” displaying a highly agitated reaction. The teachers’ union criticized the government’s policy as an overreaction.
On the other hand, administrators at schools (principals and vice principals) showed a variety of reactions, ranging from saying that “it has nothing to do with them” to appearing completely unaware of the current situation. In addition, some frontline teachers refused to answer at all, each for their own reasons.
On the one hand, as the teachers’ rally on the 2nd drew an estimated 300,000 to 350,000 participants—far exceeding the initial estimate of around 200,000—it appears that public sentiment in memory of the deceased and calls for widespread reform across the education sector to address the poor conditions in schools will continue for quite some time.
Yoon Byung-ik, Reporter
