[Editorial] 'Private School Law' Revision Approved

The bill to revise the Private School Law was finally approved by the National Assembly, though on the very last day of this year's session and in the midst of a physical clash between the ruling and main opposition parties. It is regrettable that the bill was pushed to a vote with the Grand National Party (GNP) trying to physically prevent that from happening. It was disappointing that you had to see a repeat of the same old shouting and grabbing at the neck.

Initially it was expected that the revision would be the easiest of the so-called "four big reform bills" to pass, because it was so widely supported by the public. The National Assembly missed several opportunities to bring the bill to a vote, however, and it took well over a year. That the ruling Uri Party and the minor opposition Democratic (DP) and Democratic Labor (DLP) parties cooperated on passing the bill speaks of how those who voted for it did so out of respect for the public's concern that the opportunity to revise the Private School Law might be missed. However, the ruling party lacked political skill for being unable to arrive at an agreement with the GNP, even though they had made progress on key elements like the nomination of board members by outside organizations. It is had to understand the GNP's attitude as well, since it rejected even the National Assembly speaker's compromise proposal and insisted that nothing at all should pass. At the very last moment the GNP suddenly suggested both sides talk about the adoption of a plan for "independent" private schools, but that can only be seen as a delay tactic to keep the bill from going to a vote.

The most key part of the new law is having some board members and auditors nominated by "school operation committees" and "university consultation committees." Fewer members will be nominated by those bodies than originally hoped, however, and schools will not be required to have teachers' committees. Some people are saying the law, as revised, will still not be enough to guarantee transparency. However, the revision is significant for having established a minimum of what will be necessary for keeping the arbitrary behavior and corruption in check.

Next year's budget as well as the "comprehensive real estate tax" and the "law on structural reform in the finance industry" and other potential controversial reform bills are waiting to be passed. The ruling and opposition parties need to agree on a timetable for an extraordinary session so that they can do the work they're supposed to.

The Hankyoreh, 10 December 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection]