Korean Job Discussion Forums

Gollum · Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Location: Japan

There is bill up for debate in Korea which would change some of the prviledges for private schools, such as my private high school.

From what little I heard about the situation, the ruling party (Uri, I suppose they meant) wants to change the law to end Nepotism by those who own and operate private schools. So basically, schools like mine where it's family-run (Chairman is married to the Principal, and Vice-Principal is his sister) would have to change..

The administration has told our Korean teachers they expect them to show up for a rally against changing the law, but the teachers are angry because they agree that the law should be changed.

Personally, I agree the law should be changed, but I would hate to lose the VP, who is so kind to us foreigners. The Chairman and Principal treat us quite well too.

Now why doesn't the Uri party have the balls to require this at places like Samsung??? Hmmm...

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

Why should the law be changed? If it is a private school shouldn't the owner have the right to hire whom he or she wishes?

Gollum · Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Location: Japan

But when a private institution is receiving government funding, as is the norm, THEN it becomes a whole different ballgame. My school receives well over 90% of its funding from the gov't.

That should answer your question.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I'm confused now. I understand that the public schools receive their funding from the gov't. That's why they are called public. And private universities are run for profit. So private schools get 90% of their funding from the gov't too?

Gollum · Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Location: Japan

Actually, our Korean English Dept. Head at our Private school said it's 99 percent, but I have a hard time believing it's THAT high... could be wrong, though.

Public and Private have different meanings here than back home. Private just means Privately-owned here, but they still are funded by the government from what I understand.

Also, a Private school job is considered less desirable for Korean teachers because Public school employees can't be easily removed. The people who get better grades in college and/or pass a special test can get the public jobs. You might think that means the better teachers go to the public schools then, but that's not totally true. Some of the Public school teachers know they can't get fired, and really slack off as teachers and become lazy (so I hear). The Private school teachers constantly have to prove themselves worthy to keep a job next year.

It all depends on the school.

fidel · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Location: North Shore NZ

My school is owned by Samsung, they brought it about 11 years ago from the previous owner as he had run the school into bankruptcy. As it happened the founder of Samsung was a graduate and his family when approached felt some obligation to help it out.

From what I understand, Samsung is willing to pay for the entire school budget, ungrade the facilities and operate as a 'private' school in the full sense of the word, however the Education Ministry continues to block all attempts. Apparently out of some misguided ideas of social justice they don't want to see elite high schools emerge to cause further disparity in the Korean society. A pity, as Samsung has grandiose plans for the school, to turn it into a kind of feeding ground for it's future executives.

From what I understand, 'private' school positions in certain schools are far more desirable than their equivalent and teachers are very secure in their jobs. Once you get tenure you get it for life.

Gollum · Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Location: Japan

There is no such thing as "tenure" at my private school.

There are a lot of people who have been there forever, but they work hard.

Especially the women.

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2004 9:54 am Post subject:

fidel · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Location: North Shore NZ

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2004 3:44 pm Post subject:

Len8 · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Location: Kyungju

I have heard that public school teachers have to relocate every 3 years too, and it's one of the reasons private schools can be attractive. Was in a private boys middle school for two years, and seem to remember the teachers who bought their way into the school as getting the cold shoulder from the other teachers.

OP said he wished that the government would do the same thing to Samsung that they are doing to private schools. No Moo Young is actually trying to break up the family dominance on the board of directors, and I've heard they are fighting him tooth and nail. He's a former social activist and anti rich. Samsung is majority owned by foreign shareholders, and they want foreigeners on the board, because they thing their share price on the stockmarket is way undervalued. Don't know if that would have any bad repurcussions, but might be a good warning to buy.