By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
A middle school principal, who allowed his students to go on a field trip on the day of the state-administered test last year, has been suspended from his job for three months.
The South Jeolla Province Office of Education said Thursday its disciplinary committee has decided to punish Jangsu Middle School Principal Kim In-bong for an alleged violation of the education law.
Kim said he will take legal action against the decision.
``It is my authority to let students attend the field trip and the education office is trying to stifle my right,'' he said.
He plans to file a complaint with the Appeals Commission.
Some parents and teachers groups also plan to join Kim's campaign and are to stage a press conference Friday. The action relates to an incident last October when Kim allowed eight students to go on a field trip instead of taking the state-run exam.
They are protesting the standardized test, alleging that it will only boost unnecessary competition among students, ultimately raising parents' costs to send their children to private cram schools for higher exam scores.