Vocational high schools offer their students the chance for real-world work experience, which they call “field training.” In the wake of a student’s death last year while taking part in one of these programs, authorities began investigating them. They’ve found numerous problems. Mike Balfour reports.

On November 9th, 2017,

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High school killed in ‘field training’ accident in November 2017

student (이민호) Lee Min-ho died while field training.

He was operating a dangerous machine, with no safety equipment or protection.

Nobody oversaw nor instructed him.

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Fatal accident reveals widespread problems in field training programs

The fatal accident reveals that vocational high school field training programs are poorly managed.

A teacher designated to each student is required to attend the field training and oversee his or her student. However, there was no such supervision.

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Documents fabricated

Teachers fabricated documents to look like they actually visited the workplace.

The student that died attended the Seogwipo Industry and Science High School. That school sent students to businesses during summer vacation without approval of the provincial education office.

Therefore, local education authorities were in the dark about students potentially poor working conditions.

Some students were forced to work during weekends and in bad working environments.

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Inspectors uncover 8 offenses

The provincial audit committee launched a probe into the provincial education office and the high school’s field training programs.

It found eight offences and requests disciplinary action against seven officers.

The provincial education office admits its faults, but adds that it could not properly handle the situation because of timing.

Recording
Provincial office of education representative
We admit that we didn’t properly oversee the field training programs. They usually take place right after the college entrance exam, which is the busiest time of the year for us.
<싱크 :제주도교육청 관계자>
"현장실습 기간임에도 교육청이 점검을 못한 것은 맞고요. 저희들 입장에서는 관례적으로 현장실습을 많이 나가는 기간이 수능이 끝난 기간이라서 ... "

Despite its claim to look out for each individual child, the Jeju education authorities have displayed negligent indifference having left hundreds of students alone in potentially dangerous field training environments.

[Reporter] Mike Balfour
[Camera] Ko Moon-su

Mike Balfour, KCTV