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| Students of Inhun High School speak in front of the school in Seoul, Oct. 23, to denounce the school's teachers for "politically biased" lessons. Yonhap |
By Bahk Eun-ji
A recent dispute between students and teachers at a Seoul high school is causing a controversy over what teachers and students need to do when their political opinions differ and whether teachers' political comments should be regarded as education or indoctrination of a specific ideology.
The conflict started at Inhun High School in mid-October when some students claimed teachers forced students to put papers with anti-Japan phrases, such as "Japan must apologize" on their clothes during a marathon event within the school and chant anti-Japan slogans.
These students also claimed that a teacher said all news about former Justice Minister Cho Kuk's corruption scandal was fake news and that those who believe the claims are "dogs and pigs." The teacher also allegedly called a student, who opposed the idea, a member of "Ilbe," an ultra-conservative website.
The incidents were made public by a student who wrote a posting on Facebook, saying "We are not your political toys."
As the issue drew public attention, about 40 of the students formed a group named the "Coalition to Protect Students" and continued their claim by holding press conferences at the school and posting relevant writings online. They claim the teachers are giving a politically biased education because they belong to the Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union, a liberal teachers' group.
But some other students and teachers disputed their claims, saying the anti-Japan slogans and phrases were made by students voluntarily.
As the situation became increasingly heated, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE) conducted a special inspection of the school for a month from Oct. 22, surveying teachers and students. It then concluded there were no major problems concerning teachers' comments and actions when considering the context and circumstances, and thus it would not take any administrative measures against the school.
"There were some inappropriate remarks by teachers from the students' point of view, but there were no consistent, forcible and repeated infusing of a specific ideology or politically inclined teaching," the office said in a statement, Thursday.
It said to prevent similar disputes, it would soon begin to make principles and guidelines about political neutrality at school.
But the coalition resisted the SMOE's conclusion. Kim Hwa-rang, 18, the leader of the coalition, had his head shaved during the briefing in front of the office, Saturday, in a show of protest. He called for Cho's resignation from his position for destroying political neutrality, a "basic value in public education."
"We demand an official apology from the teachers and SMOE Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon for their 'deep-rooted' politically biased education and act of brainwashing students with left-wing political ideologies," he said.
"Cho stigmatized students as right-wingers instead of conducting a fair investigation of this incident," Kim said.
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