On the 26th, in front of the National Assembly Building in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, teachers from all over the country participate in a rally to normalize public education and wave signs. Photo = Reporter Cho Yoo-jeong
“After the summer vacation, which was particularly painful, we must return to school soon without investigating the truth of the incident. After becoming a teacher, I answer the question, ‘Where and what did the teacher do?’ In this society where everything is blamed on teachers, what did you guys do the moment we all gathered together and cried together?” (Sodam, an elementary school teacher in Jeonbuk)
On the 26th, the 6th assembly of field teachers who voluntarily gathered to commemorate the Seoi Elementary School teacher who died last month and to protect the teaching authority was held in the area of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. An estimated 60,000 teachers dressed in black filled the road to the National Assembly building, facing the National Assembly.
The rally, which started at 2:00 p.m. that day, was hotter with the voices of the teachers than with the 30-degree weather. After the death of a teacher at Seoi Elementary School in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 18th of last month, calls for the protection of teacher rights are growing. The Seoi-cho teacher memorial rally is held every weekend in front of the National Assembly, and the number of participants continued to increase until the sixth session. Teachers in the field took collective action and even returned vacation to make a research report for the normalization of public education, but they point out that the education authorities are only coming up with alternatives that are different from the voices of the field.
The scene was also a sea of tears. Teacher A, who attended the third rally, said with tears in her eyes, “I suffered from malicious complaints and indiscriminate reports of child abuse.” Then, she said, “We will also hold a rally on the 2nd of next month and the Day to Stop Public Education on the 4th of next month.”
Voices of teachers calling for truth-finding at Seoi Elementary School and protection of teacher rights
Kim Seon-kyung, a teacher at Cheonggye Elementary School, said, “I worked passionately without a day off for 18 years.” ”he said. He said that he was about to retire on the 31st, saying, “I chose to retire because I couldn’t recover my body and mind even after 4 years of various treatments and exercises due to depression, a sense of defeat, and a sense of helplessness.” After Kim’s remarks, cheers poured in from all over the place, such as “It’s not the teacher’s fault” and “Cheer up”.
Lee Man-hee, a special education teacher, mentioned the deceased Seoi Elementary School teacher and said, “The summer of July (where the incident occurred) is passing and autumn is coming, but the world still hasn’t changed. I’m so sorry.” She continued, “I will work hard to immediately revise the child abuse law and find out the truth about the deaths of fellow teachers who were unfair. I will be with you until the end,” he shouted. In response to his words, the field teachers unanimously said, “Immediately revise the child abuse laws. Clarify the truth of our unfair teacher. reflect the voice of the field. The deadline is September 4,” he shouted.
On this day, not only incumbent teachers but also prospective teachers calling for normalization of public education participated in the rally. Mr. B, a student at Korea National University of Education, pointed out, “Many classmates are leaving the college of education for other careers.”
“When schools collapse, education collapses, and when education collapses, society collapses. It is our society’s business, not the business of others. Please let me walk the path of an educator who is concerned about a better world in a safe school.” (Korean National University of Education student B)
Teachers appealed for the interest of the political world to protect and strengthen teacher authority. Teacher C, who was in charge of the site moderator, said, “Gyeonggi-do Superintendent of Education Lim Tae-hee and Gangwon-do Superintendent of Education Shin Gyeong-ho are blocking public education suspension day (September 4).” They ask me to trust and wait, but how long do I have to wait?” According to Mr. C, only one member of the National Assembly from the Education Committee replied that he would attend the meeting. On this day, Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Min-jeong, a former teacher, attended the rally and listened to the voices of the field.
On the 26th, in front of the National Assembly Building in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, teachers from all over the country participate in a rally to normalize public education and wave signs. Photo = Reporter Cho Yoo-jeong
On-site teachers suggested that they would also gather on the 4th of next month, the day to stop public education. The students of the College of Education also plan to give strength to the voices of senior teachers. Seong Ye-rim, president of the student council at Seoul National University of Education, said, “After the Seoi-cho incident, we set up a memorial space on campus and mourned.” It is the fault of the Ministry of Education and the government for not protecting teachers so that they can focus on their educational activities,” she pointed out.
“The government has not been able to find out the truth or come up with a solution,” said Seong. He said, “Now (the government) must listen to the voices of the field and come up with responsible measures.” Students at the University of Education will also continue to commemorate and act in solidarity.”
Sejong City Superintendent Choi Gyo-jin, who appeared at the rally, said, “As the superintendent of education, I deeply reflect on myself and ask for forgiveness and apology.”
Superintendent Choi pointed out, “Education circles and politicians must not suppress or distort the will of teachers to protect teaching rights and create a proper educational environment.” In addition, he said, “A significant number of parents also sympathize with and support the suspension of public education suspension day.” Finally, she exclaimed, “Let’s make Seo I-cho’s 49th birthday, the day of restoration of the Korean education community.”
Reporter Yoojung Cho [email protected]
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2023-08-26 09:43:14
#Today #tomorrow #hope #safe #Teachers #Tears #Continued #Weeks
