In a world where educators shape the minds of future generations, recent events in Seoul have cast a spotlight on teachers’ rights and authority. The tragic suicide of a young schoolteacher at Seoi Elementary School ignited widespread anger because she was reportedly struggling to handle complaints from demanding parents. Another incident where an elementary school student assaulted his teacher, hospitalizing her, has intensified the atmosphere of mourning. These devastating incidents have put a spotlight on teachers’ rights, prompting a call to action to safeguard them from abuse and assault.

Teachers play a crucial role as mentors in guiding the young minds that shape the future. Yet, in modern classrooms, these noble responsibilities are complicated by a number of challenges. The recent suicide at Seoi Elementary School was a reminder that educators stand at the crossroads of complex requirements, particularly guiding student behavior while navigating parental expectations. The incident left behind a void that resonated far beyond the school’s walls and throughout society at large, emphasizing the urgent need to prepare protective measures to preserve teachers’ authority. To catch this fish – that is, to balance the scales between student rights and teacher empowerment – parents, students, and policymakers must collaboratively move forward with lasting solutions.

A Teacher's Desperate Call

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, on July 18, 2023, an elementary school teacher in Seoul’s Seocho District took her own life inside her classroom. The death of the teacher, who was only 23 years old, sparked rumors within online communities that she had struggled with a case of violence that had occurred within her classroom and had led to vociferous complaints from the parents of the students involved. However, amid the speculation and sadness, one fact was clear – there is an urgent need to address the factors that led to this heart-wrenching outcome.

The spotlight also reached back to an earlier incident on June 30. A female elementary school teacher in Yangcheon District suffered injuries requiring three weeks of treatment after being assaulted by a sixth-grade boy. Yonhap News reported that the teacher wrote on an online community that the student hit her in the face dozens of times, causing her to fall to the floor. The student also threw scissors and a mirror at her as other students in the classroom watched on in horror. The aftermath of this attack resulted in a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder for the teacher, which not only shattered her physical well-being but left her mentally ill and unable to return to her classroom.

It must be acknowledged though that these incidents are merely the tip of the iceberg, with various unpublicized events occurring each year. According to the Korean Federation of Teachers’ Association, 347 cases of student-onteacher violence were reported last year, more than double the number from 2018. In addition to the potential physical harm that teachers face, the psychological toll of uncooperative parents takes a toll, with 55.8 percent of teachers citing it as a significant factor hindering their work, as reported by the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI).

Given these challenges, some critics have been taking aim at renowned psychiatrist and television personality Dr. Oh Eun-young and her program My Geumchoggi, which features children with behavioral issues and Dr. Oh offering parenting advice. This TV show and Dr. Oh’s books on the same subject have gained substantial popularity among parents in Korea. Dr. Oh’s emphasis on individualized care and understanding has caused a paradigm shift in disciplinary approaches. Her conviction that children must be heard and loved under all circumstances has influenced parenting strategies. However, her approach has caused debate among educators, who fear that it might inadvertently undermine their authority in the classroom, where broader, multifaceted approaches are often required.

On the other hand, there are also concerns that the violence against teachers and their suicides might inadvertently lead to a temporary overemphasis on teachers’ rights. While teachers’ empowerment is important for maintaining order and providing effective education, it should harmonize well with students’ rights to express themselves. “The authority of educators and the rights of students may overlap and sometimes clash, but it is most desirable for them to coexist individually and create a win-win situation,” states Professor Shin Hyun-Seok (Department of Education). “In this educational community, where members understand and respect educational activities based on mutual trust, empathy, and communication, the authority of educators and the rights of students can be reborn as a dialectical, mutually beneficial logic.”

Striving For Empowerment

In the aftermath of these incidents, a call for change has emerged as teachers rally in Seoul, advocating for enhanced rights. Responding to these concerns, the Ministry of Education (MOE) unveiled a plan in late August based on the implementation of a new collective school grievance response system seeking to shield teachers from abusive complaints from parents. According to Yonhap News, each school will establish a team comprising around five teachers, led by the principal, aimed at addressing complaints within the school structure. Under this policy, parents will be prohibited from directly contacting teachers with complaints and instead must communicate through these designated teams. The system is set to come into full effect starting next year.

The Student Human Rights Ordinance, while prohibiting any form of physical punishment for students, exposed teachers to the risk of classroom violence by students but with no means to respond physically. However, a significant change took place this semester. Teachers now possess the authority to use physical force to restrain disruptive students during class, or, if necessary, to remove them from the classroom. “In the future, rather than offering temporary solutions that advocate the rights of one side, I believe it is wise to pursue progressive, informed, and integrated policy alternatives that link educational authority and student rights, striving for a paradox-free situation without conflict between the two,” remarks Professor Shin.

With the new policies introduced in August, the path ahead has become clearer. Collaborative efforts remain vital – not just as a response to tragedy but also to address the daily challenges educators encounter. Education must occur in an environment where both teachers’ and students’ rights are respected.