Jeong Geun-sik “We must teach restraint in mobile phone use”…Possibility of supplementing the Student Rights Ordinance as well - 경향신문

This article was translated by an AI tool. Feedback Here.

Seoul Superintendent of Education Jeong Geun-sik is being interviewed by the Kyunghyang Shinmun on the 22nd at the office of the superintendent at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Reporter Jung Hyo-jin

Jeong Geun-sik, the Seoul superintendent of education who won reelection in the June 3 nationwide superintendent elections, cited advancing a social consensus on restricting students' use of mobile phones and other digital devices as a core task for his second term. While he drew a clear line against claims that the Student Rights Ordinance caused the decline of teachers' authority, he stated that, if needed to reflect changes in the digital environment, amendments to supplement the ordinance could be considered.

Superintendent Jeong, in an interview at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in Yongsan-gu on the 22nd, said, “Confirmation bias driven by algorithms is the greatest enemy of democratic citizenship education,” and added, “To prevent this, we must curb mobile phone use and strengthen reading and discussion.” He continued, “We need to advance social consensus further on students refraining from using mobile phones.”

Superintendent Jeong said that the discussion on the ‘Alpha Phone’ proposed by Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Young-ho could also be referenced. The idea is to distribute student phones that retain essential functions such as calls, location checks, and transit cards, while blocking access to social media, games, and harmful content.

Under the current Elementary and Secondary Education Act, students are in principle prohibited from using smart devices during class, and principals and teachers may restrict their use and possession to protect the right to learn and ensure educational activities. The criteria and methods of restriction may be set in school rules. The Seoul Student Rights Ordinance likewise allows the time and place of electronic device use to be restricted through school rules created with student participation.

If restrictions are tightened beyond current levels, opposition may grow, particularly among students. In response, Superintendent Jeong said, “If needed in an educational context, we should teach students to exercise self-restraint through discussion,” and added, “If necessary, we could also consider supplementing the Student Rights Ordinance.”

Seoul Superintendent of Education Jeong Geun-sik is being interviewed by the Kyunghyang Shinmun on the 22nd at the office of the superintendent at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Reporter Jung Hyo-jin

However, Superintendent Jeong said, “Teachers' authority has not declined because of the Student Rights Ordinance,” drawing a firm line against calls in some quarters to abolish the ordinance. He indicated that while the basic framework of the ordinance should be maintained, discussions could continue on supplements that reflect the changed environment.

Superintendent Jeong explained, “We have previously reviewed supplementing the ordinance.” Earlier, during Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon's tenure in 2023, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education prepared a revision to the Student Rights Ordinance that would stipulate not only students' rights but also their responsibilities and duties, and that they must not infringe on the rights of other students and staff. However, it was not deliberated as the Seoul Metropolitan Council focused on discussions of repeal.

As for the Netflix series <True Education>, which highlights the ‘decline of teachers' authority’, he said, “If you base policy on an exaggerated drama, you will get exaggerated policy,” stating that institutional alternatives such as a ‘state litigation liability system’ are needed rather than dramatic retribution. Superintendent Jeong said, “At present, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education's system for protecting teachers' authority is 70~80% complete,” adding, “The most lacking part is a dedicated organization and framework to support teachers facing malicious civil complaints or lawsuits. We will separately review whether a separate body, such as a ‘Bureau for the Protection of Educational Activities’, is needed for this.”

On this day, Superintendent Jeong also stated his position on the reinstatement of teacher Ji Hye-bok, who was transferred and dismissed after reporting a case of sexual violence on campus three years ago. In April, the court delivered a settlement recommendation to cancel the dismissal, but as Ji did not accept it, the situation has been prolonged. Ji has demanded that the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education first implement eight demands, including the withdrawal of the criminal complaint, compensation for wages during the transfer and dismissal period and for the denial of whistleblower status, and disciplinary action against those responsible.

In response, Superintendent Jeong said, “Had the settlement recommendation been accepted, we intended to proceed with reinstatement as quickly as possible,” and added, “We are reviewing most of the demands positively, but an extralegal agreement that goes beyond what the law allows, such as victim compensation and disciplining staff, is impossible.” He also said, “If the demand for disciplining staff is withdrawn, we can consider withdrawing the criminal complaint.”

As a new task for progressive education, he proposed the ‘Korean-style Baccalaureate’ (KB). Superintendent Jeong said, “We need a next 2.0 model that will build on the achievements of innovation schools sustained for more than 10 years,” and added, “What remains is to establish, in a Korean form, a certification system like the International Baccalaureate (IB), which pursues a similar direction to innovation schools.”

On democratic citizenship education, which is expected to be further strengthened in his second term, he proposed a comprehensive approach encompassing constitutional education, global citizenship education, and ecological education. Superintendent Jeong said, “We must cultivate global citizens who can embody constitutional values based on a proper sense of history,” and revealed that “the establishment of a Peace Education Institute and a Constitution Education Institute is also under review.”

Regarding the local education financial grants now under restructuring discussion, he stressed that essential needs in the field of education must be guaranteed. Superintendent Jeong said, “Budgets needed for ensuring basic academic ability, multicultural education, basic education including early childhood education, artificial intelligence (AI) education, students' mental health, and the improvement of aging facilities must be firmly guaranteed,” and added, “With increased budgets, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will boldly pursue facility investments to innovate school spaces, resolve overcrowded schools, and expand facilities for students' mental health and sports activities.”