The Cause of Private Education Problem-Different Views of Teachers and Parents

On November 14, an informal gathering was held to discuss “lightening private educational expenses” by the invitation of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development in Seoul, Jong-ro Gu, Sae-jong Road at the Central Government Complex. During the discussion, a severe difference in the recognition related to the nationwide educational reality between teachers and parents of students was revealed and aroused interest.

Parents laid the responsibility on “easy-going teachers,” however, teachers put harsh criticism on parents who distrust schools and the educational reality which they say do not make productive use of competent teachers, which has caused the expansion of private education programs.

The meeting was held by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development to establish countermeasures to lighten the private educational expenses which is set for an announcement at the end of December. 14 education suppliers and users, including principals, parents of students, officials of Federation of Teacher’s Associations, and other people were invited. Three parents’ representatives, six teachers and principals, five educational association representatives attended.

After the deputy prime minister of Education Yoon Duck-hong’s remark, “I will not speak but instead I will listen because this meeting is held to collect your opinions. Please tell me them without hesitation,” attendants readily gave answers.

The permanent representative of “Parents who Love School,” Jeon Eun-hae, asserted her opinion, “Teachers tend to be sluggish because they have taught their whole lifetimes after being appointed.” Jeon added, “The introduction of supervision is needed to give incentives to hard working teachers and to warn the other teachers.” As for this assertion, Lee Won-hee, a teacher at Seoul, Kyong-bock high school, refuted, “Half of the problems related to private education is due to the parents who distrust public schools.” Lee added, “There are many competent teachers, and we have to make teachers feel more fruitful.” The teacher contradicted, saying, “As the social tendency to negatively view teachers is developing, teachers who are leaving their jobs are appeared to be saying they would rather earn more money,” and she asked, “Why on earth should we let competent teachers quit?”

The principal of Dong-dae-moon Middle school, Dong-hwan Choi, suggested, “We need to help teachers although the resentments of the parents are understandable.” He added, “The Ministry of Education had better work out countermeasures for competent teachers on the spot to share the information with each other and offer this information to students and parents.”

As the teachers consistently protested, Lee Won-han, head of the Negotiation Department of Policies of the Korea Federation of Education Associations, pointed out, “I asked the parents of examinees why they consulted with teachers of private institution, and they answered that the wall of the school was too high.” He added, “Teachers should observe themselves undertaking the responsibility of the private educational problem.”

The boom of entrance examinations to specialized high schools was a hot issue.

The principal of Jam-shin High school said, “They think that attending a specialized high school guarantees entrance to the best universities, however, it is not the only way to get to Seoul National University.” As for this opinion, Sun-hee Hong, a parent of a student, refuted, “The reason why students are going to specialized high schools is to have an opportunity to study in a better educational environment and compete with the other great students.” She added, “If they categorize students in public schools, teachers will have an easier time teaching, and the studying efficiency would increase.”

There were many outspoken suggestions such as, “The Ministry of Education should reduce the restrictions on schools and let the school be run by the atmosphere of the school or the philosophy of the principal,” “We have to induce competition in schools and teachers by changing the school examination formats (from high schools to universities) to the national mock examinations,” and “Make several strategic school strengthening aptitudes for students of the neighboring school.”

After the discussion, the attendants responded, “Although we could find the difference of recognition, it was meaningful that frank conversations between teachers and parents were done.”

Seong-Chul Hong sungchul@donga.com