Unionized teachers said Thursday they will return more than 70 billion won (US$73 million) from their bonuses to the government in protest against the incentive payment system which they claim denies the specialty of the job of teaching.
The Korean Teachers and Educational Workers' Union said it has collected 75.46 billion won from its members opposing the system and will give it back to 16 local educational offices across the country.
"The incentive system, which was introduced in 2001 for teachers, denies the specialty of the job of teaching and the diversity and creativity of teachers' educational activities," Jang Hye-ok, chairwoman of the union called "Jeongyojo" said in a press conference.
She said the system should be abolished because it only escalates "anti-educational competition" among teachers. "We will continue the campaign to return bonuses until our demand is accepted."
The union said 117,000 teachers have so far pledged to join the campaign that began on June 22.
The Ministry of Education responded that it will not accept the money because the collective action lacks legal grounds.
Seoul, Sept. 14 (Yonhap News)
Unionized teachers to return bonus in protest of graded salary system |
