Foreign media analyzed that such frequent extreme choices by teachers are related to Korea’s widespread mental health problems and Korea’s harsh education systemIn an article titled “Hundreds of thousands of Korean teachers are protesting against extreme choices caused by parents,” CNN said on the 6th (local time), “Hundreds of thousands of teachers are protesting against the burden of teachers in Korea, which is notorious for its heavy education system.” CNN reported in detail the atmosphere of the rally site and the hardships felt by teachers in the educational field through teacher interviews.
“Because of the so-called child abuse prevention law, it is difficult to teach children in the classroom because teachers are not authorized,” a teacher told CNN. “Many teachers are under great stress because they are afraid of being reported by angry parents even if they discipline or discipline students in the classroom.”
CNN reported that many in education criticized the controversial Child Welfare Act, which was introduced in 2014.
CNN added, “The death of a teacher was a turning point for many teachers across Korea who have long complained that they cannot discipline students for fear of retaliation.” From January 2018 to June 2023, 100 South Korean public school teachers took their own lives, most of them elementary school teachers, according to government data.
■ Korea, which has traditionally respected teachers, why?
The BBC diagnosed on the 4th that “what fuels this situation is Korea’s super-competitive society, where almost everything depends on academic success.” The BBC said, “Students compete fiercely for their grades for the best college from a very young age,” adding, “In particular, most families have only one child, so there is only one chance to succeed.”The Guardian, a British daily, also said in a report titled “Abused, Trauma, and Impotent Teachers: Why Korean Teachers Protest,” “Parents identify themselves with their children in a family with only one or two children and live a child-centered life. As a result, it has become difficult for children to accept any criticism they receive from teachers, and they see it as a direct insult,” he analyzed the cause.CNN also said, “In Korea, many teenagers cite education as their biggest concern. Most Korean students receive additional tutoring at private institutes every day and continue to study until late at night, he said. “This stress affects parents.”
Professor Kim of Seoul National University of Education told the BBC, “Traditionally, Korea has a very strong culture of respect for teachers, but many parents often ignore teachers after receiving high education due to rapid economic growth.” A teacher told the BBC, “Until four years ago, we could have sent students out of the classroom or sent them to the back of the classroom, but since then, parents have started to sue for child abuse. The only way parents think is ‘my child’ and they become very selfish.”
EJ SONG
US ASIA JOURNAL
