The initiative takes a cue from the Netflix drama “Teach You a Lesson,” which depicts a fictional government agency created to restore teachers’ authority in schools.
Gyeonggi Superintendent of Education Ahn Min-seok has made stronger protection of teachers one of his signature policies since taking office in July.
Yet despite repeated pledges to strengthen teachers’ rights, educators continue to face abuse both inside schools and online.
On Wednesday, a video showing a fifth-grade student at an elementary school in Cheongju kicking and punching a teacher went viral, again drawing attention to violence against educators. Education authorities immediately separated the student from the teacher and suspended the student from attending school.
They will assist teachers from the initial stage of a case through its conclusion, providing legal advice, psychological counseling, recovery assistance and follow-up support.
The team consists of 110 teachers, 30 Gyeonggi residents and 160 specialists.
Interest in the program was far stronger than expected. The education office initially planned to recruit 50 officers but received 1,823 applications, prompting it to expand the final selection to 300, the office added.
AJP Takeaways:
· Gyeonggi education authorities launched a 300-member teacher-protection team of lawyers, psychiatrists, police officers and counselors to respond to abuse and malicious complaints.
·The initiative was inspired by Netflix drama “Teach You a Lesson,” which features a fictional government agency created to restore teachers’ authority.
·The rollout comes as violence against teachers remains a concern, highlighted by a viral video of a fifth-grade student assaulting a teacher in Cheongju.
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