Seoul’s educational policy could be drifted

By Na Jeong-ju

The conflict between conservatives and liberals over Seoul’s educational policies could deepen further with the appointment of Education Minister Lee Ju-ho’s aide as acting head of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE).

Former ministry spokesman Lee Dae-yeong, who was named vice superintendent of the education office last week, will be in charge of formulating Seoul’s educational policies in place of liberal superintendent Kwak No-hyun. His official duties have been suspended due to his trial on bribery charges.

Sources say Minister Lee’s appointment of his aide as SMOE’s acting head reflects his determination to deal sternly with any moves to dampen the government’s education policy.

The vice chief is expected to seek to slow down Kwak’s educational reform programs, including providing free lunches to elementary and middle school students and changing the way teachers treat students. Minister Lee has expressed discontent over such measures.

The election of civic activist Park Won-soon as new Seoul mayor in the Oct. 26 by-election also suggest that Seoul’s educational policy could be drifting further due to ideological division.

On his first day in office, Park decided to finance the office’s plan to provide free lunches to 5th and 6th graders of elementary schools in Seoul from November, sparking protests from conservatives. Currently, all elementary school students in Seoul, except for fifth-and sixth-grade students, are receiving free lunches. The SMOE plans to provide free meals to all middle school students by 2014.

The new mayor worked as a member of an advisory group for Kwak after he was elected as Seoul’s top educator in June last year, playing a role in creating his reformist policy platform.

As part of efforts to boost Kwak’s free meal program, Park pledged to set up a food center to monitor the quality of food offered to students and ensure contamination-free, nutritious school meals.

Vice Superintendent Lee said he would strengthen policy coordination between the education office in Seoul and the education ministry to overcome what he called an “educational crisis.”

“We should work together and do our best to get Seoul’s education back on track. I’m ready to sacrifice myself for that cause,” Lee said in an inauguration ceremony on Monday. In front of the education office on the same day, liberal groups protested his appointment, calling him the “Trojan horse” for the conservative minister.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Lee reaffirmed that he would try to ensure a balancing role between the two sides to provide better services to students.

“What’s important is to narrow differences between groups with conflicting interests and seek a compromise. That’s what I’m for,” he said. “I will keep a low profile, listening to various educational groups to develop policies.”

Conservative groups are rallying around Lee, wanting him to stop Kwak’s educational reform.

“Kwak’s educational policies have caused a lot of confusion among schools. For example there is still controversy over the ban on corporal punishment of students, which was implemented last year on Kwak’s instruction,” said a spokesman for the Korean Federation of Teachers Associations.

“Such a ban should be removed immediately because it is getting difficult for teachers to handle students when they misbehave.”

Kwak’s involvement in a bribery scandal obviously took its toll on his education reform measures, but the situation has changed since Park took office as new Seoul mayor.

“Park and Kwak share many ideas on reforming the country’s educational sector. Park’s election as mayor certainly bodes well for Kwak’s ongoing policies,” said a spokesman of the education office.