Bill on Public Teacher Evaluation Likely to Pass

With the beginning of the National Assembly’s regular session this month, lawmakers specializing in education are interested in whether a bill on adopting an evaluation system for public school teachers will pass.

The Dong-A Ilbo surveyed 21 lawmakers on the parliamentary committee for education, science and technology and found that 18 of them support the bill. Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party agreed that the bill must be passed in this session despite the party’s prior opposition to the measure.

The ruling Grand National Party had railroaded the bill through the legislative review subcommittee of the education committee. The bill was revised in advance by the two rival parties, but the ruling party passed it unilaterally after the extra parliamentary session was wreaked by inter-party conflict.

Democratic Party lawmakers had opposed the bill at a general meeting of the education committee and the plenary session, claiming it contained clear flaws. With the opposition party’s changed stance after holding discussions at the National Assembly, however, a positive outcome is expected.

foryou@donga.com