Gyeonggi Education Chief Plans 'Protection Agency' to Restore Teachers' Rights

Anminseok, the newly elected superintendent of Gyeonggi Province education, has announced plans to establish a "Gyeonggi Educational Protection Agency" aimed at restoring and safeguarding teachers' rights. This initiative, inspired by the popular Netflix drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" which highlighted issues of educational authority, will be the subject of a parliamentary debate scheduled for June 25.

During a press conference, Anminseok stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, "If we do not restore the collapsed rights of teachers, there is no hope. Restoring teachers' rights is about finding hope for Korean education." He indicated that the proposed agency would function similarly to the fictional organization depicted in the drama, but with modifications to ensure it addresses both teachers' rights and students' learning rights effectively.

Beyond the creation of the new agency, Anminseok detailed his approach to existing educational policies. He expressed a nuanced view on the current administration's key projects, such as the AI-driven learning platform "Hi-Learning" and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. While acknowledging the need for continuity in successful policies, he also pointed out criticisms, particularly regarding the low usage rate of "Hi-Learning" among teachers and the disconnect of IB education from university admissions in Korea.

Anminseok proposed a "KB" (Korean Baccalaureate) as a potential alternative, suggesting a tailored version of the IB program suited for the Korean context. He also reaffirmed his commitment to implementing a revolutionary system for electing local education superintendents through a public nomination process, emphasizing that this move would significantly shift the educational landscape in the province. Additionally, he plans to revive the "Democratic Citizen Education Division," signaling a return to progressive educational values that characterized previous administrations in Gyeonggi Province.