A majority of South Korean teachers believe their basic political rights should be guaranteed. (Image courtesy of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union)
SEOUL, Jul. 17 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent survey has revealed that a majority of South Korean teachers believe their basic political rights should be guaranteed.
These educators argue that the lack of such rights is a primary reason for the failure to properly protect teachers’ authority and normalize public education.
The survey, conducted from July 2 to 15, polled 9,629 teachers from preschool, elementary, middle, and special education schools across the country.
The results were released on July 16 by five teacher organizations, including the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union and the Good Teacher Movement.
This date is particularly significant as it marks the eve of the first anniversary of the suicide of a 23-year-old teacher at Seoi Elementary School in Seoul’s Seocho District.
According to the survey, an overwhelming 99.1% of teachers stated that political activities outside of school hours should be guaranteed.
Furthermore, 98.2% of respondents (with 88.8% strongly agreeing and 9.4% agreeing) cited the lack of basic political rights as a major reason why teachers’ demands for educational rights and public education normalization are not being adequately addressed.
When asked about priorities for securing their political rights, teachers highlighted several key areas.
Expressing political opinions outside of school was the most popular choice, with 71.3% of respondents supporting this idea.
Many also favored allowing teachers to run for superintendent of education while on leave, with 59.5% backing this option.
Joining political parties and making financial contributions to political parties and members of the National Assembly were also significant priorities, garnering support from 48% and 44.7% of respondents, respectively.
Additionally, teachers expressed support for running as candidates for political parties, campaigning outside of school, and participating in national primaries for party candidates. These options received 35.5%, 21.5%, and 17.1% support, respectively.
The five teacher organizations have presented these survey results to the National Assembly, urging the passage of legislation that would guarantee teachers’ basic political rights.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
