By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
The Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union (KTU) said Monday it will step up its fight against President Lee Myung-bak's administration's education policies. The union of progressive teachers said it opposes nationwide scholastic tests for students and the establishment of international middle schools, calling them policies favoring the children of rich families.
During a meeting Aug. 30-31, the union decided that it would campaign against the nationwide scholastic achievement tests in the latter half of the year.
The government plans to hold the tests as a way to encourage competition between schools and make public information on each school based on results. The union claims the disclosure of the results will only ignite fierce competition among schools and raise private education costs.
The union plans to organize a field trip for teachers as means to boycott the test due in October. They also plan to launch a campaign and hold a public hearing to inform people of their views.
However, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said the national scholastic achievement test is not an issue to be negotiated with the union, warning it will take stern action against any illegal moves by teachers.
``If they boycott the exam as they plan, we will apply to seek necessary administrative or legal punishment on those who are involved in any illegal activities,'' a ministry official said.
``We will try to take steps to narrow the gap among students, but it doesn't mean we will change the core direction of our polices.''