Legislative Report, May 24: 22nd National Assembly Focuses on Education Agenda

22nd National Assembly Highlights Education Issues, Active Debate on Bills for Teacher Rights and Learning Opportunities

The 22nd National Assembly is accelerating its legislative efforts to address various pressing issues in the education sector since its opening. In particular, bills aimed at improving the treatment of teachers, guaranteeing students' learning rights, and normalizing public education, primarily spearheaded by lawmakers from the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, are drawing attention as they enter the proposal and discussion stages. Lawmakers on the Education Committee have been making efforts to listen to the voices from the education field and reflect them in policy, which is expected to serve as a significant indicator for the future direction of educational policy.

Assembly member Roh Jae-hyun of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, serving on the National Assembly's Education Committee, is actively participating in listening sessions and policy discussions concerning the education field as a committee member for the 22nd National Assembly. Roh recently declared his intention to focus his inquiries during the parliamentary audit of the Ministry of Education and its affiliated agencies on measures to guarantee students' learning rights and improve teachers' working conditions. He is also reportedly preparing to propose legislation necessary for revitalizing the senior teacher system and supporting teachers' research and professional development, aiming to normalize public education. This is interpreted as concrete action to enhance the rights and benefits of both teachers and students. Meanwhile, Assembly member Yoon Ho-sang of the same party, also on the Education Committee, is participating in the review and discussion of bills related to improving teachers' status and protecting their educational activities. Yoon has expressed his commitment to resolving pressing issues in the education field swiftly and signaled a focus on field-centric policy discussions from the committee's first meeting.

In addition, Assembly member Kim Sang-dong, a member of the Education Committee, is participating in the review of education issues and policies, striving to reflect the voices from the education field into policy. Assembly member Im Jong-sik, also on the Education Committee, is participating in the deliberation of bills related to the integration of childcare and preschool education, while also showing interest in proposing and reviewing legislation to strengthen the protection of teachers' rights. These movements are expected to contribute to restoring trust across the education sector and laying the groundwork for sustainable development. Furthermore, Assembly member Jeong Geun-sik is reviewing or pursuing legislation to alleviate the burden of university tuition fees and expand educational support in June 2024. He also participated in discussions on livelihood economic issues, including measures to lower interest rates and defer repayment periods for student loans targeting university students. Assembly member Cho Tae-yong, also affiliated with the Education Committee, is participating in proposing or reviewing education-related bills and is broadening his engagement with the field by visiting educational sites to communicate with students and faculty.

Discussion of Bills to Enhance Teacher Expertise and Public Nature of Private Schools

The legislative activities of lawmakers from the Cho Kuk Innovation Party in the education sector during the 22nd National Assembly are focused on enhancing teacher expertise and promoting the public nature of education. The measures proposed by Assembly member Roh Jae-hyun for revitalizing the senior teacher system and supporting teachers' research and professional development are seen as attempts to boost the morale of frontline teachers and simultaneously improve the quality of education. The senior teacher system is designed to enhance school education quality by having experienced teachers lead mentoring for their peers and lesson research. Revitalizing this system and strengthening legal and institutional support for teachers' professional development is analyzed as essential for enhancing educational competitiveness in the long term. Additionally, Assembly member Kwon Soon-ki is participating in proposing legislation to ensure transparent operation and enhance the public nature of private schools, showing a move to secure the soundness of private educational institutions that form the foundation of education. In the case of private schools, issues such as corruption and lack of operational transparency can lead to distrust in public education as a whole. Therefore, this legislative proposal is expected to play a crucial role in restoring trust in the education market and strengthening the public nature of education.

The bills for strengthening teacher rights protection, which Assembly member Im Jong-sik is interested in, are also noteworthy. In recent years, there have been frequent reports of teacher rights violations, leading to concerns that teachers' educational activities are being curtailed. Strengthening legal and institutional protective measures against such infringements has gained significant consensus in the education community, as it ensures teachers' stable educational activities and ultimately leads to the protection of students' learning rights. Furthermore, legislation being reviewed by Assembly member Jeong Geun-sik to alleviate the burden of university tuition and expand educational support is expected to contribute to increasing access to higher education and reducing household educational expenses. Measures such as lowering student loan interest rates and deferring repayment periods for university students are evaluated as part of policy efforts to support young people's economic independence and mitigate inequality in educational opportunities. This series of legislative discussions is significant in that it addresses the practical difficulties in the education field and demonstrates policy aspirations to provide fair educational opportunities for all students.

Broad Spectrum of Education Issues Under Discussion and Expected Effects

In the 22nd National Assembly, lawmakers on the Education Committee are attempting a multi-faceted approach to education issues. Assembly member Min Seon-hee is participating in discussions on bills related to 'Combating School Violence and Strengthening Protection for Victims,' responding to societal demands for creating a safe school environment for students. School violence is a serious issue that harms not only the learning rights of victimized students but also the safety and trust of the entire school community, with a strong call for urgent and effective countermeasures. Min is also showing interest in strengthening educational capabilities necessary for the future society, participating in related activities as part of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party's policy to 'Foster 10 Million Digital Citizens.' Her active engagement in inquiries and debates on education issues as an education committee member is expected to contribute to enhancing the future-oriented nature of educational policy.

Discussions on education-related bills are also actively underway across the political spectrum. Song Eon-seok, the floor leader for the People Power Party, argued that a bill to abolish virtual asset income tax should be processed as the 'No. 1 bill' of the latter half of the parliamentary session, emphasizing that the petition has garnered over 50,000 signatures and been referred to the standing committee. This matter is being discussed in terms of vitalizing the digital asset market and protecting investors, requiring careful examination of the ripple effects of changes in tax policy. Furthermore, the Democratic Party is pushing to propose an amendment to the 'Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement and Related Matters' to punish acts of defamation and insult against the May 18 Democratization Movement, expressing its firm stance against historical distortion. There are indications that this bill aims for passage in the plenary session immediately after the June 3 local elections. These various legislative proposals suggest consideration not only for resolving direct issues in the education field but also for the impact of educational policy on shaping societal ethics and values.

As such, the 22nd National Assembly is discussing a diverse range of bills concerning the enhancement of teachers' rights, the guarantee of students' learning rights, the strengthening of private schools' public nature, the expansion of access to higher education, school safety, and historical awareness. If these bills are passed by the National Assembly and implemented as actual policies, South Korea's education system is expected to mature further and lay the foundation for providing better educational environments for all citizens. In particular, the proactive activities of lawmakers on the Education Committee are expected to be a significant driving force for future educational policy changes, and there is keen interest in whether they can bring about practical changes in the education field.