Dear editor,

Regarding an Oct. 15 Korea Times article, ``Schools Split Over State Test,'' some teachers and parents opposed the test, claiming that it rates schools and pushes students into a hierarchy. Some of them refused to administer the test and went on a field trip with their students. However, I think opposing the test is not the ultimate solution.

Teachers should consider their speech and actions more carefully because the effect they have is huge. Most young students are too immature to be ready to make serious decisions.

They could follow on the teacher's field trip without sincere thoughts, just being happy to skip the test. A teacher cannot violate students' rights because of their faith and beliefs about national policy. Their way of opposing the test was certainly wrong as a teacher.

The opponents have not looked at the positive aspects of the tests. The fundamental purpose of a test is not to create a hierarchy, but to give encouragement. Through the test, we can know the accurate level of each student and make adjustments for any insufficiency in the educational system. It gives students the opportunity to develop themselves.

The government should also make sure it avoids making school rankings because this is a sensitive thing for people in Korea. An effective method for successful communication between the government and opponents of the test is necessary for the stable implementation of educational policy.

It is not educational and is irresponsible for teachers to show extreme and discriminatory measures that destroy the framework of society.

Teachers have to find another way to express their position calmly and rationally. They need to see the state test from a new point of view and act in their roles as promoters of student growth.

Jin hyun-joung
English teacher
Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province
abellale@daum.net