By Jhoo Dong-chan
More than 200 teachers who have disciplinary or criminal records received a government prize upon their retirement last year, data showed Tuesday.
According to data released by the Ministry of Education, the government rewarded 9,938 retired teachers last year. Among that number were 214 teachers who had disciplinary records that had expired or for which they were pardoned.
Critics say the government should not reward teachers who have committed offenses.
One of the prize winners included a principal who retired in February of last year and was previously given a three-month suspension after he was involved in an extramarital affair.
Another principal received the award even though he was punished with a one-month wage cut for his involvement in a pyramid scheme targeting teachers and parents at his school. A professor who was fined twice for driving under the influence of alcohol, and a vice principal reprimanded for using violence against a female teacher also received recognition.
“The government should give prizes to only those who qualify,” said Rep. Ahn Min-seok of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD).
“Teachers are supposed to have a greater sense of ethics. The government should apply stricter standards for the retirement prize.”