Get Things Straightened Out
Dear editor,
I agree with the March 12 editorial titled, ``Corrupt Educator,'' which expresses a deep concern about Seoul's top educator Kong Jeong-taek's false assets report and his greed for a public position at the cost of moral responsibility.
A series of unethical and undesirable educational programs have been enough to disappoint the people who chose him as the top educator for Seoul.
I was shocked to hear that Kong is appealing to a higher court, closing his ears to the mounting calls for his resignation. He made the excuse that he mistakenly made a false assets report even when he had already been found guilty in a local court.
At the point when people realized they hadn't chosen the right person for that post, his staying in office brings about deep disappointment and anger.
A corrupt person cannot be a leader of education and contribute to improving the current educational system. It is not too late for Kong to step down voluntarily, at least as a token of regret and contrition that he deceived the people.
Kong's resignation should be the starting point for reforming the distorted educational program, and a mature consensus should be sought nationally in order to normalize school education.
It is obvious that Kong's market oriented educational program added fuel to stimulating private tutoring, increasing educational inequality and the tensions between the haves and have-nots.
No matter who is the next leader of education, reducing private tutoring costs is a pending task all Korean people long for, particularly in this harsh recession. Kong's elitist policy propelled with competition theories pales in comparison to the obvious advantage of affluent children, making the majority of students feel frustrated.
It is high time to get things straightened out so that public school is the place where every child can have hope and know how to cooperate for a better society.
Nam Hyun-ha
Middle school teacher