By Lee Hyo-sik
Teachers who accept over 30,000 won in cash, or a gift equivalent to that amount from parents of their pupils will be subject to disciplinary action, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said Wednesday.
The common practice of parents giving cash or gifts to teachers, known here as “chonji,” is decades-old. It most likely started as an attempt by parents to win favors for their children in class.
It is not difficult to see many parents give teachers a white envelope containing cash or gift certificates on Teachers’ Day, which falls on May 15 every year. In some cases, teachers openly demand parents offer them money or treat them to meals at pricy restaurants and entertainment joints.
There have been many debates on how to abolish chonji, whether as a bribe or a good-will gift from parents to teachers. In a bid to end the controversy, the Seoul education office has drawn a distinction between the two.
“Teachers and other school employees cannot accept over 30,000 won in cash or gifts equivalent to that amount. If teachers ask for money from parents, they will be disciplined, regardless of the amount,” an official at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said.
Receiving gifts worth less than 30,000 won multiple times will also be subject to disciplinary action. “The 30,000-won threshold is expected to discourage parents from giving cash or gifts to teachers. Teachers will also likely refrain from receiving such offerings. Our latest decision to award parents who report teachers who accept chonji to education authorities will greatly help eradicate the decades-old practice.”
The Seoul education office recently decided to reprimand a female teacher who had accepted gift certificates worth 300,000 won. The parent who reported it to the office was awarded 2.5 million won.
In a recent survey of 1,660 parents with students attending elementary and secondary schools across the country, the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission said 18.6 percent of respondents said they have offered chonji at least once in the past. Of those residing in affluent southern Seoul, 36.4 percent often gave cash or gifts to teachers.
About 70.5 percent said chonji is a mere expression of appreciation, with only 14.2 percent giving money to teachers to win favors for their children. Nearly 53 percent of parents offering chonji said they gave 50,000 won, with 37.4 percent giving 100,000 won.
