Teachers caught sexually molesting students ― but who are not prosecuted ― will face disadvantages when they come up for rehiring.
In addition, educators who take bribes from parents, engage in corporal punishment and fabricate students' academic performance will face the prospect of being dropped from rehiring lists.
These tougher disciplinary measures are included in revisions to laws governing teachers being prepared by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, which will be implemented as early as next year.
The ministry has prepared the punitive measures after being under fire for being too lenient with "delinquent" teachers.
According to the package, regional education boards will expand their online complaint centers to take reports of sexual molestation by teachers. Currently, the centers deal with the excessive use of corporate punishment by teachers.
At the same time, a 24/7 call center will be set up to receive complaints about teachers' misbehavior.
Disciplinary committees, which are currently composed of members affiliated with education, will look to bring in more women experts. Thirty percent of new committee members will be women and the same percentage will apply to personnel coming from outside the education sector.
Currently, delinquent teachers get away with punitive measures such as reduced wages and reprimands in cases of sexual molestation. These "light" punishments have invoked severe public criticism, forcing the ministry to take a tougher stance.
The ministry plans to have both public and private schools adopt the new, more stringent measures.
Also, a database will be expanded to indefinitely monitor all "illegal activities" such as sexual abuse by all school employees including school bus drivers.
foolsdie@koreatimes.co.kr
