Concerns over teacher rights and malicious complaints have been reignited following a teacher's remarks and the education minister's response, which have sparked significant backlash online. Critics have particularly pointed out the ministry's failure to provide clear solutions despite the teacher's urgent appeals.
A video circulating on social media shows a teacher publicly questioning the education minister. The teacher stated, "Field trips are not mandatory. Teachers take students on these trips to experience and learn together," emphasizing that curriculum design should be the responsibility of educational professionals.
The teacher recounted, "During my time as an elementary school teacher, I went on field trips eight times a year. But now, with a colleague having been convicted, how can any teacher feel safe going on a field trip?"
He also detailed specific complaints from parents regarding field trips, saying, "We receive complaints like, 'Why isn't my child paired with a specific student?' and 'Why do you make them travel far enough to get motion sickness?' Even when we take hundreds of photos of the students, we hear, 'Why does my child only have five pictures?' and 'Why does my child look unhappy?'"
Regarding safety personnel for field trips, he acknowledged the need for such support but criticized the burden placed on teachers, stating, "While I recognize the need for safety personnel, teachers are responsible for everything from contracts to background checks for sexual offenses. Is this really a policy that supports teachers?"
He urged the education minister, saying, "Please do not make field trips mandatory. Create an environment where teachers can choose to go on their own."
The education minister's subsequent summary of his response has also drawn criticism. Reports indicate that he stated it would be difficult to provide legal immunity, that realistic protections against malicious complaints are challenging, yet he still hopes teachers will continue to conduct field trips.
Online reactions have been overwhelmingly negative. Users expressed sentiments such as, "If the minister can't solve this, what is his purpose?" and "Saying he can't address malicious complaints essentially means he is giving up." Others questioned why schools should bear the responsibility for creating memories when teachers are left to shoulder the blame.
Some users even recalled past comments from Choi Kyo-jin, the superintendent of education in Sejong City, who once shared a personal experience about losing control after a top student cried over declining grades. One user criticized, "Those who worked during a time when teacher authority was strong are now evading responsibility in a time of teacher rights collapse," while others echoed concerns about the overall issues with educational policy appointments and the cumulative failures leading to the current crisis in education.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.