As part of an anti-corruption push, the provincial office of education is introducing a private school evaluation program, but the schools are unhappy with the plan. Joseph Kim reports.





Report

CG-IN
A local high school refused to create a class for disabled students.

A middle school refused to accept a student who was involved in school bullying at another school.

All of the members of the board of directors who determine important issues about the school reside in the mainland.
CG-OUT

All of these schools are private institutions.

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Education office to evaluate private schools

The provincial office of education will evaluate the management of local private schools beginning next month.

The office judges that the private schools are not publicly accountable even though they are public educational institutes.

Recording
Lee Seok-mun / Superintendent of education
At least 5.6 billion won in tax money is poured into private schools every year, but one of them wouldn’t accept a bully who caused problems at another school. Also, some school foundations demote teachers after disagreements with colleagues.
[씽크 이석문 / 제주도교육감 ]
"적어도 56억원이란 세금을 매해 받는 재단에서 교장끼리 모여서 합의보는데 강제 전학 (학생은) 못받겠다, 그리고 재단과의 (의견과) 틀어지면 트집잡고 강등시키는 등의 사례가 있습니다."

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Evaluations divided into 22 categories

22 categories including the composition of board of directors, the teacher recruitment process and payment of legal charges will be assessed.

If the evaluation finds abuse of a chief director of the foundation’s authority over personnel affairs or improper composition of board of directors, subsidies for school facilities will be cut.

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Private school foundations unhappy with evaluations

However, private school foundations have reacted strongly against the evaluation program.

Private schools say that the composition of the board and school management could fall short of the education authorities’ expectations, but they don’t violate the Private School Act.

They add that the education authorities go beyond its powers if its recommendations are linked to administrative and financial support.

INTERVIEW
Go Jae-mun / Jeju Federation of Teacher’s Association
The Private School Act ensures the uniqueness and autonomy of private schools. Some schools are complaining that the education office pushed ahead with the evaluation program unilaterally.
[인터뷰 고재문 / 제주도교원단체총연합회장]
"사학이라는 것은 특수성, 자율성이 보장된 (기관이라고) 사립학교법 나와있습니다. 그 분들과 충분히 공론화하지 않고 일방적으로 진행된 것에 대해 굉장히 불만을 제기하고 있습니다."

Private schools also demand the reconsideration of graded financial aid between public and private schools because students will be affected.

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‘Input from private schools to be reflected in evaluations’

The provincial office of education says the input made by private schools will be reflected when the office develops an evaluation index.

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Ko Moon-su

However, private schools suspect that the introduction of the evaluation program is intended for the education office to exercise its influence on local private schools.

Joseph Kim, KCTV