South Chungcheong council passes abolition of student rights ordinance for 1st time
Democratic Party of Korea-affiliated lawmakers on South Chungcheong Province's council hold signs opposing the abolition of the region's students' rights ordinance, Dec. 15. Yonhap
A bill abolishing the controversial student rights ordinance passed through the regional council of South Chungcheong Province for the first time nationwide Friday amid criticism that the ordinance has compromised teachers' rights.
South Chungcheong Province had been one of the seven cities and provinces that have regionally implemented a students' rights ordinance. While each ordinance differs in details, they unanimously proclaim students' rights not to be discriminated against and to ensure their freedom of expression and others rights.
The ordinance has been highly regarded for contributing to the eradication of corporal punishment in schools. However, it has also been viewed with skepticism by some because it could hinder school teachers' disciplinary activities and be abused to unjustly accuse teachers of maltreatment.
The regional council of South Chungcheong passed the bill abolishing the province's student rights ordinance at its plenary session with a 31-13 vote, marking the first repeal among the seven regions that implemented a students' rights ordinance.
The council's conservative lawmakers affiliated with the People Power Party, who spearheaded the passage, argue that the ordinance focused only on students' rights while turning a blind eye to their responsibilities.
Within five days of Friday's bill passage, the speaker of the regional council is required to deliver the decision to the chief of South Chungcheong Province's education office. The education superintendent must then either promulgate it or request the council's reconsideration of the bill within the next 20 days.
The regional education office immediately released a statement, calling the abolition a "regression" from the values of discrimination- and violence-free education and indicating it will take action to reverse it. (Yonhap)