[Editorial] Teachers' Union Has Forgotten the Students?

Yi Su Il has resigned as head of the Korean Teachers and Education Worker’s Union (Jeon Gyo Jo). He had tried to maintain a stance that provided a rational alternative amidst the conflict over the adoption of a teacher appraisal program. He tried to use its introduction as leverage for reforming the "work appraisal program" and the gradual implementation of the "headmaster appointment program." That position was seen as a conditional acceptance of the teacher appraisal program, and it was not given approval by the organization's representatives' meeting on November 26. The position of those who are completely opposed to the program was also rejected, but that the leadership's conditional acceptance of the plan was rejected is seen as more significant.

The question you find yourself asking in this situation is whether the organization places greater value on the education of students or the interests of teachers. At a press conference on Friday, Yi claimed that the overwhelming majority of the public was demanding the adoption of the teacher appraisal program. The country believes that is what is right for students. Now the organization has rejected even conditional acceptance of the idea, so it makes you wonder.

As a result, even people who have been through hard times with the organization are calling it a group of "extreme old-style leftists." Won Hye Yeong, chairman of Uri Party's policy committee, says the decision "can only be seen as group selfishness that ignores the people's demands." We are not mentioning Won's name because he was once part of the democracy movement and holds an important position in the ruling party. Won has been one of the most supportive of the same issues the organization has pursued, such as amending the Private School Law, having education spending be 6 percent of the GDP, and legally requiring that schools have teachers', students', and parents' associations. The organization is at a crossroad where it could lose everything and gain nothing.

Students always used to be at the center of Jeon Gyo Jo's values, and that why it has been able to initiate change. It will cease to be as effective if more value is placed on teachers' interests.

The Hankyoreh, 29 November 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection]