[Source: Associated Press, Ahn Young-joon]
As of March 17, 2019 high school teachers in South Korea are no longer going to be allowed to teach at a school in which their child is enrolled as a student.
This major law change was caused because of high schools with students who had parents employed as teachers at their school cheating on exams and projects. This form of cheating was not a singular occurrence. Once, in a high school located in Gangnam, two twins, who were daughters of the headteacher at the school, was able to raise their grades in a short amount of time, raising great suspicion. As a result, the twins and the headteacher was found utilizing resources other students did not have access to and the twins were expelled.
According to the Department of Education, this new system will start in all 16 school districts following March 1st. However, this does not mean that the teachers will not be employed or students cannot attend highly sought after schools.
If a student is placed in a school in which his or her parent is employed as a teacher, the parent/teacher will be transferred to another school. In the case of private schools, the parent/teacher may trade places with those in public schools and/or at times with substitute teachers.
[Source: Associated Press, Ahn Young-joon]
Currently, there are about 1500 school education field workers that have their children attend the school of their employment. Also, there are about 1050 students who attend schools at which their parents or guardians are employed as teachers. Which raises cause for concern in some parents and students.
Although reactions have mostly been positive to this new change in the Education system in South Korea, there are some that worry about the areas where there are only a few schools. The districts or cities that have a limited number of schools typically do not have the option to transfer employees or students around and attendance at the same school is the only option.
Understandings those concerns, the new system is still in progress and numerous changes and adjustments are anticipated in the future.
Minseo Park, Grade 10
Crescenta Valley High School
