South Korea has recently passed a series of legal revisions known as the “teacher rights restoration bills” to improve the rights and protections of teachers in response to weeks of protests. These protests were triggered by a series of teacher suicides believed to be connected to malicious complaints from parents.
One of the key changes introduced by these bills is the removal of automatic suspension for teachers accused of child abuse. Additionally, the bills forbid school principals from downplaying or concealing actions that may have violated a teacher’s rights.
Teacher unions have expressed their support for these legislative changes, acknowledging the efforts of teachers who have protested for their rights. The Korean Federation of Teachers Union and the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union have both welcomed these bills as a positive step towards normalizing public education and ensuring teaching authority.
However, it’s worth noting that some challenges remain, such as the need for sufficient manpower, budget support, and additional legislation to fully implement these laws effectively.
One contentious provision that would have allowed teachers to keep records of students who violated teacher rights, potentially affecting their university admissions, was omitted from the final bills.
The protests and large-scale walkouts by teachers were sparked by the tragic suicide of a 23-year-old primary school teacher in July. She was found dead at her school in Seoul, reportedly due to anxiety caused by complaints from abusive parents. Other teacher suicides suspected to be linked to malicious complaints have since been reported.
In response to these issues, the government previously unveiled guidelines to enhance teachers’ rights, including measures to address abusive complaints. In Seoul, a chatbot service will also be introduced in schools to handle simple parental complaints on behalf of teachers.