By Yi Whan-woo
Two boys-only national vocational high schools will admit girls from 2014, accepting the National Human Rights Commission’s recommendation.
The rights panel said Thursday that the two schools have decided to scrap their policy of accepting only boys to be trained for the shipping industry.
The decision came after the commission recommended last November that Busan Maritime High School and Incheon National Maritime High School, founded in 1978 and 1981 respectively, should stop discriminating against girls.
“The maritime and shipping industry was exclusively dominated by men for a long time due to stereotypical thinking that women were unfit for job,” said Kim Min-jeong, an investigator for the commission.
“Based on our research, however, we concluded that such an attitude is outdated as women are equally capable of doing so-called gender-specific work.”
The female graduates will be able to land jobs as sailors, engineers and vessel inspectors.
The commission also recommended the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, which oversees the schools, to change regulations to admit girls.
“The decision should be taken for granted as the influence of women throughout our society is getting stronger,” said Kim Jong-doo, an assistant director of the seafarers and labor policy division at the ministry.
The two schools were designated in 2011 as specialized vocational institutions by the government as part of its efforts to help all students find jobs upon graduation.
The one in Busan with 480 students has a quota of 160 freshmen each year. The other in Incheon has 360 students, of whom 120 are freshmen.
All of the students at each school live in dormitories. The ministry plans to help the schools change some of their buildings to accommodate girls as early as 2013.
“The changes will include providing girls’ bathrooms in the classroom buildings, as well as constructing girls’ dormitories,” Kim said.
He expects that it will take time to see female graduates enjoy equal job opportunities.
“According to our research, the maritime industry still demands only a small number of women,” he added. “Also, our latest data shows the number of girls willing to enter the schools is not that high.”