Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Real Reality]

Private Schools Threaten Shut Down
1,531 of the nation's 1,631 private middle and high schools, 109 of 146 private community colleges, and 98 of 172 private universities have decided to close their doors if the Uri Party's revision to the Private School Law is passed by the National Assembly. The private school foundations plan to hold a demonstration denouncing the proposed private school bill in front of Seoul Station on Sunday.... The Korean Private School Alliance said that with public elementary, middle and high school teachers and the 160,000-strong Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations -- the largest educators' group in the nation -- planning to attend, over 10,000 people might participate in Sunday's demonstration.
by Pak Jung-hyeon
Chosun Ilbo (November 5, 2004)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200411/200411050020.html

Private School Owners Threaten to Shut Down Schools if Law Passed
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200410/200410190026.html

[Real Reality]

88% of private schools threaten shutdown
About 88 percent of private schools across the country yesterday threatened to shut down if the National Assembly passes the controversial bill that would allow students, teachers and parents to be involved in the management of their schools....10,000 principals and deputy principals, college presidents and deans, and school foundation officials plan to rally against the revision of law tomorrow at Seoul Station.
by Jin Hyun-joo
The Korea Herald (November 6, 2004)
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2004/11/06/200411060028.asp

[FUBAR]

I am a little concerned about this to be honest. Some of these old men are just stubborn enough to close up shop. However, I doubt that the board of directors would allow for this to happen.

If, the schools did have a shutdown (even temporarliy) and re-opened, would that void our visas?

[Derrek]

The change in the law has to do with Nepotism, among other things.

I don't understand the parent involvment issue -- can't see how they'd be more involved than they are now, short of voting for who was elected Principal, etc... that has to be it.

Until now, Private schools like mine have had certain freedoms not allowed to the Public schools. One of them is that although the country funds them by like 90% or more, the owners of the school can still hire family members as staff. At our school, the family owns it, the Chairman is the son of the former Chairman; his wife is the Principal; his sister is the Assistant Principal.

If the Uri Party law passes, I heard they are forced to resign.

I do know for sure that my school told the teachers to go to the protest rally, and the teachers are really upset about it.

They are in agreement with the Uri party, and don't want to go to a protest and protest on the opposite side of what they believe.

I'd bet you my bottom dollar that the rest of the teachers at that rally are in the same situation as my school's teachers.

It's a no-brainer that majority of the teachers are with the Uri party on this one -- it means that some of them might have a chance at moving up in the school, where until now, they reached a "glass ceiling" because they weren't family.

[inkoreaforgood]

[fidel]

Actually individual schools could close shop and then sell the land/buildings to the government or anyone who wanted them. Many foundations are non-profit organisations and operate solely for altruistic reasons. If they feel control of the school is being removed from them in an underhand manner (a kind of not so subtle nationalisation) then why shouldn't they shut up shop. Rest assured it won't happen overnight and would take several years to implement.

[justagirl]

I read the articles and they aren't very specific about what the private school owners are upset about.

Can someone lay out the terms of the bill that potentially could be passed? What exactly would it mean for hakwons?

I see it says, "will allow students, teachers and parents to participate in the management of private schools." but what would that entail? They would control the prices? The choice of teachers? Personally, I don't see how parents could control the schools more.

Someone fill me in. Thanks.

justagirl

[Gord]

[hellofaniceguy]

Seems to me that now is a good time for the korean teachers to band together.....for something positive for a change. Most agree with the recommended changes....schools owned and operated by family members while getting funding from the local government needs to stop amoung other things they do. But...will korean teachers band together? No. Unless it's to protest against another country or something along those lines.

[FUBAR]