The government vowed Tuesday to introduce a national qualification examination for day care workers amid rising concerns over the stateโs lax monitoring on the child care system.
The new measure was released after public outrage escalated over several child abuse cases in preschool facilities. Three female workers were arrested earlier this month for allegedly having hit children under 5 for not finishing meals or following the class. One of them had even put wet tissues in the mouth of a 22-month toddler, police said.ย
 |
| Childcare workers swear an oath at an anti-abuse training program held in Seoul on Jan. 22. (Yonhap) |
The qualification process for day care workers has been branded too easy by its critics. Currently, anyone who completes over 65 credits of courses at a college-affiliated academy can work as a third-grade day care teacher. A first grade certificate only requires completion of a few additional courses and three years of experience.
As of this month, more than 86,000 people have been certified, with some 22,000 currently working in day care.
In order to toughen the qualifications, the ministry will require a set curriculum and a personality test for those who seek to take the national day care exam, the government said.
In the long term, the ministry will push to restrict the exam applications to those who majored in child-related studies, officials said.
In addition to introducing the new state exam, the government will not require all child care facilities to install surveillance cameras, the ministry said. Those without cameras will be barred from operations.
The surveillance camera requirement had been pushed at National Assembly in 2010 but failed to pass the welfare committee after some lawmakers expressed concerns over privacy of day care employees.ย
The government will also double the reward for child abuse whistle-blowers to 20 million won ($18,500) to increase detection, officials said.
The ministry will also raise the number of assistant teachers at facilities to reduce the workload of day care workers while improving care quality.
“About 6,500 assistants will be provided nationwide and all costs will be provided by the state. While it is under discussion, round 200 billion won to 300 billion won is expected to be earmarked for the move,โ a ministry official told media.
Meanwhile, the police authorities vowed to strengthen penalties against those who interfered in child abuse investigations.
Dispatched investigators have complained over difficulties in conducting inquiries into child abuse cases. There have been no legal punishments against people who refuse to help investigations.
A one-year jail term or a fine of up to 5 million won will be charged for obstructing a police investigation of child abuse allegations, authorities said.
By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)
