Schools stuck in fight between top educators

Teachers, students poles apart over rights ordinance

By Na Jeong-ju

The dispute between the education ministry and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE) over the latter’s controversial ordinance on enhancing students’ rights is throwing schools into confusion.

Teachers and students are poles apart over SMOE’s measures to prohibit corporal punishment and allow students to choose their own clothing and hairdos, among others.

Analysts say school-related policies could fracture further due to the escalating conflict between the two authorities as it represents a widening ideological divide between the conservative government and SMOE, headed by liberal educator Kwak No-hyun.

“The ministry opposes the ordinance but the office tells us to follow it. We are in a dilemma,” said a teacher from a middle school in Yongsan, Seoul. “Some students have already dyed their hair or had perms after SMOE enforced the ordinance, although such behavior is not allowed under the current regulations. We don’t know how to deal with them.”