Even if it is recognized as a violation of teaching rights, it cannot be separated from the children... Amid silent protests by colleagues, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union says, “Superintendent of education must report parents”
(Sejong = Yonhap News) Reporter Byun Seon-jin = A teacher at a public kindergarten in Sejong City was accused of child abuse again by the same guardian, unable to separate from the special education child and the guardian, despite being acknowledged for violating the teacher's rights.
Teachers and teachers' organizations are complaining that fundamental measures are needed, saying that even if a violation of teaching rights is acknowledged, no practical protective measures are taken.
According to the Sejong branch of the National Teachers and Education Workers Union on the 4th, the parents of a child in special education at this kindergarten filed a complaint against teacher A last week on charges of child abuse.
The parents claimed that Mr. A strangled the child when red marks were found on the child's body, but Mr. A said, "I believe the child scratched it himself because it was itchy."
On the 30th of last month, the Sejong Police Agency began an investigation, including visiting the kindergarten and securing closed-circuit (CCTV) footage.
This guardian previously sued two teachers, including Mr. A, and four people, including the director and superintendent, on charges of child abuse (neglect) in July, and this case is still under police investigation.
When the child's aggressive behavior was repeated, the child was handed over to the home in accordance with the dispute resolution agreement of the Office of Education, which was claimed to be neglect.
Teachers reported violation of teaching rights against the child and his parents after the child repeatedly caused injuries, including biting the teacher, and damaged classroom furniture and teaching aids.
Accordingly, the Sejong City Office of Education's Educational Rights Protection Committee ordered parents to issue a written apology and the child to receive psychological treatment last August.
However, even after that, the child continued to attend the same kindergarten and was not separated from Mr. A.
The Sejong branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union reported that since the two classes are grouped into one class, it is not effective to divide the classes, and the guardian applied to transfer the child to a nearby kindergarten, but the request was rejected by the Special Education Management Committee of the Office of Education.
In a phone call with Yonhap News, Mr. A claimed that he received a tetanus injection because the child had repeatedly bitten his arm and hand, that he was even diagnosed with a concussion last July, and that he had recently been bitten on the lip.
He added, "Despite reporting a violation of teaching rights, teaching rights are not actually protected, and the child's right to education seems to come first. There are limits to how teachers can protect children by blocking them with their entire bodies. It is questionable how they can provide active education while being sued."
In protest against repeated child abuse complaints, kindergarten teachers have been holding a silent protest this week by wearing shoulder belts with the phrase, "Are we all potential perpetrators of child abuse?" during school and school hours.
The Sejong branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union issued a statement on this day, demanding legal action from the Office of Education, including the operation of a special support team composed of experts and reporting to the superintendent of education for the parents involved, and emphasized the need to revise related laws, including the Child Welfare Act, to prevent legitimate guidance from turning into child abuse.
The Sejong City Office of Education plans to announce a statement containing detailed measures related to this issue on the morning of the 5th.
