Korea's educational reality: talking about school, teachers

By Hanna Kim

“Oh, Captain, My Captain.” This iconic line from the 1989 movie “Dead Poets Society” has continued to touch the hearts of people worldwide until now in 2023. John Keating, who was being earnestly gazed upon by his students, says, “Thank you, boys, thank you.” With those final words, the movie comes to a close.

The movie depicted the image of a dedicated teacher within a school and the relationship between the teacher and students. Unfortunately, it is, however, difficult to find a similar portrayal of teachers and students in the present that compares with “Dead Poets Society” and the characters of John Keating and the students.

Both the United States and Korea have Teachers' Day. It is a commemoration of respect, reverence and gratitude towards teachers. In Korea, there is a term called “gyogwon” that represents authority of and respect for teachers. Gyogwon encompasses the educational rights and authority of teachers and includes the autonomy of educators, the right to a secure livelihood and the protection of their professional status. It implies that teachers have the right to autonomously educate, free from political or external interference.

Is this educational authority well protected in South Korea? Unfortunately, it is not. In 2021, the number of cases where the educational authority of teachers in primary, middle and high schools was violated nearly doubled compared to the previous year, as the number of in-person school days decreased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and then increased again in 2021. It is not difficult to predict that this trend will continue to increase in 2023, as the transition to full in-person classes takes place.

Recently, an unprecedented incident occurred in South Korea. It involved a second-year teacher at Seoul Seo2 Elementary School in southern Seoul's Seocho District, making an extreme decision, followed by another school teacher physically assaulting a student. After the incident, the elementary school teacher became known for the extreme decision made within the school premises and teachers then gathered together to investigate the truth, raising their voices to improve the environment and prevent abuse of authority. Moreover, a flood of malicious complaints and harassment cases from some parents that teachers have experienced is also coming to light.

Acts of “gyogwonchimhae,” or violation of educational authority, refer to behaviors by educational administration agencies, superiors, colleagues, parents and students that infringe upon and disregard a teacher's right to teach and their social, ethical and professional conduct. A simple search on a portal site will reveal numerous cases where the educational authority of teachers has been violated. Furthermore, on March 7, the investigative journalism program “PD Notebook” focused on cases of educational authority violations.

Educational authority violations are becoming increasingly serious. What are the causes? According to the Korean Educational Development Institute last year, the top cause of educational authority violations, as reported by approximately 42 percent of respondents, is the “excessive emphasis on students' rights.” Furthermore, it was identified that causes include distrust of schools or teachers by students and their parents, lack of awareness regarding the protection of educational activities, inadequate legal sanctions for infringements on educational activities, and changes in perception regarding the role and status of teachers.

The leading cause of educational authority violations is the excessive emphasis on students' rights. The author believes that enhancing the importance of students' rights and protecting them is essential. There are clearly positive aspects, such as reducing corporal punishment and oppressive school cultures. However, it is important to acknowledge that the excessive emphasis on students' rights and the misuse of such rights have resulted in serious mental and physical harm to teachers and made it challenging to ensure the smooth operation of educational activities. It should be recognized that the lack of specific policies to protect the rights of teachers and the absence of alternative measures for life guidance have contributed to these outcomes. Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that these issues have led to difficulties in life guidance, violations of and ultimately a decline in educational authority.

The education system in South Korea is currently going through a transitional phase where the rights of teachers and students are being rebalanced. Respecting student rights is an essential element. What is important is that the rights of students are equally important as the rights of teachers. The concepts of educational authority and student rights are not about opposition, confrontation or conflict. They should coexist harmoniously.

Human rights are the rights that every individual, including teachers who educate students, deserve. Teachers are individuals who should be respected as human beings before teachers. Teachers also have the right to be respected as individuals and it is their duty to guide and educate students in a proper manner. The numerous incidents and issues that occur among students, between students and teachers, between teachers and parents and even among parents within the school environment can be seen as another reflection of the problems that Korean society carries.

A space where teachers and students come together in trust is the school. Educational authority is restored within the realm of trust and students grow. Education is built upon trust. The education system in South Korea needs healing. Schools need to be restored. Education is the future of South Korea and, ultimately, the future of the world.

Hanna Kim (hannakim14@chongshin.ac.kr

) is a professor at the Department of Education at Chongshin University.