Parties Mull Private School Law Deal

The governing Uri Party and opposition Grand National Party (GNP) met at the National Assembly Education Council on Monday to narrow their differences over the revision of the private school law. However, the two failed to reach an agreement.

According to the private school law, private schools have to hire 25 percent or more of a school’s directors from outside personnel recommended by a school management committee (elementary and secondary schools) and a council (universities). The GNP earlier insisted on adding “etc.,” to the clause of the school law to expand the pool of personnel who can nominate candidates for director positions. The GNP lawmakers, however, compromised and proposed expanding the nomination rights to alumni associations and parents associations. However, the Uri Party claimed that the GNP’s proposal is unacceptable, sticking to its existing stance.

The Uri Party, however, hinted at its willingness to make a deal with the GNP. The Uri Party indirectly suggested that it was willing to agree on the revision of the school law if the GNP helps to pass the law school law. The two parties, however, could not strike a deal.

“When the GNP leadership proposed a revision of (the private school law), it promised to pass the law school bill. But the GNP lawmakers are now talking only about the private school law without mentioning the law school bill. This is not fair,” Uri’s policy coordinator Lee Eun-young said at a high-level policy coordination meeting of the ruling Uri Party.

“The National Assembly Education Council must make sure the law school bill, which is a symbol of the judicial reform, passes (the Assembly.),” Uri floor leader Kim Han-gill said.

“Rep. Lee Joo-ho (of the GNP) said that he would help pass the reform bill on the private school law as well as the law school bill,” Lee said at the plenary meeting of the Education Council on that day.

“(The GNP) plans to pass the law school bill during the special session of the National Assembly in February after holding a discussion because the bill is still contentious among lawmakers,” Lim Hae-gyu, a GNP member of the Education Council, said.

leon@donga.com