Seoul, South Korea - The National Assembly Education Committee in South Korea has passed an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known as the "Student Disruption Guidance Act," on January 18th. This bill aims to protect teachers and students from disruptive behavior in the classroom by granting teachers the authority to separate and restrain students who interfere with educational activities.

Key provisions of the bill include:

Teacher's Right to Restrain: Teachers are granted the right to restrain students who pose a threat to themselves or others, or who cause significant damage to property. This action will not be considered child abuse under the Child Welfare Act.
Separation and Alternative Learning: Students who severely disrupt classroom activities can be temporarily separated and provided with individual or home-based learning.
Counseling and Support: Students with emotional or behavioral problems will be offered counseling, treatment recommendations, and learning support. Their guardians are also obligated to cooperate in this process.
School Operation Committee Member Qualifications: School principals are now authorized to verify the qualifications of school operation committee members, and those who refuse to be checked will be automatically dismissed.
The Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA) has welcomed the bill, calling it a "groundbreaking measure" to address the issue of disruptive students infringing on the learning rights of others and hindering teachers' educational activities.

Background and Need for the Bill:

Previously, teachers had limited legal authority to control disruptive students, leading to situations where the safety and learning rights of other students, as well as the teachers' ability to teach, were compromised.
Incidents such as the one where a vice-principal was assaulted by a student while trying to prevent them from leaving school without permission have highlighted the urgent need for stronger legal protection for teachers.
Teachers also faced the risk of being accused of child abuse when attempting to intervene in student conflicts.

KFTA's Stance:

The KFTA emphasizes that the ability to restrain students in urgent situations, recommend treatment, and provide support is crucial for ensuring stability in the educational environment and protecting the rights of both students and teachers.
The organization urges the National Assembly to expedite the legislative process so that the bill can be implemented in schools as soon as possible, ideally by the second semester.
The KFTA has been apart of a 5 teachers union group that has been pushing for this bill, and related bills, for many months.

Looking Ahead:

The passage of this bill is seen as a significant step towards creating a safer and more conducive learning environment in South Korean schools. The KFTA and other education advocates will continue to push for swift enactment of the law and further measures to support teachers and students.