Reasons for their discontent included the polarization of education, mainly between public schools and private institutions; a lack of confidence among parents and students in public education; authoritative school culture; and the restriction of rights such as prohibiting personal use of SNS. (image: KobizMedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, May 15 (Korea Bizwire) – A study by the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union revealed that the majority of the teachers in Seoul were not pleased with their school life and the condition of the local education scene.
According to the study, conducted to celebrate the 36th anniversary of Teacher’s Day on May 15, 92.9 percent of the participants (1,001 elementary, middle, and high school teachers in the capital) said they were not satisfied with current school life and the reality of the education system, while 23.3 percent said they were “dissatisfied” and 69.6 percent “very dissatisfied.”
Educators were most dissatisfied with teacher-related policies such as performance-related pay and teacher evaluations. Abolishing such policies also topped the list of the participants’ demands for the new administration.
Other reasons for their discontent included the polarization of education, mainly between public schools and private institutions; a lack of confidence among parents and students in public education; authoritative school culture; and the restriction of rights such as prohibiting personal use of SNS.
The study revealed that competition-driven education policies spearheaded by the conservative administrations of Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye dwarfed and tarnished the reputation of public education, officials said, adding that inciting competition between teachers is discouraging them from their work.
The researchers also said that many of the teachers failed to express their opinion during the latest political scandal due to the authoritative traditions in the education sector, demanding legislative amendments to guarantee their political freedom.
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
