South Korea has a serious problem: teacher burnout and suicides. A staggering statistic reveals that around 100 teachers died by suicide between 2018 and 2023. This translates to one teacher taking their own life every month on average.
Why are Teachers in Crisis?
- Parental Pressure: South Korea’s hyper-competitive education system, often called “education fever,” puts immense pressure on students to excel. Parents, with fewer children due to the low birth rate, channel all their hopes onto their child’s academic performance. Teachers become the target for blame if a child struggles.
- The Child Protection Act, intended to safeguard students, has unintended consequences. An increase in parental complaints against teachers for small issues such as poor performance has led to suspensions and even expulsions. This fear of legal action makes teachers hesitant to even discipline disruptive students.
- A survey by teachers’ unions found that one-third of teachers battle depression – three times the national average. This constant stress and feeling of being under attack take a significant toll on mental well-being.
New Measures for the Safety of Teachers
There have been some recent changes:
- Authorities can’t suspend teachers based solely on accusations. A proper investigation must be conducted first.
- Teachers can now remove disruptive students from class, allowing for a more conducive learning environment.
- Schools are recording parent-teacher calls and using cameras in meeting rooms for transparency. Also, financial aid will be provided to teachers facing legal issues. Parent access to teacher contact information has also been restricted.
While the number of lawsuits has decreased, a large majority of teachers (78%) feel the new legislation isn’t enough. The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Unions is calling for further action to address the root causes of teacher stress and create a more supportive work environment.
Also Read: Capital Punishment In India
