On Wednesday, South Korea vowed to improve the school environment for teachers and students, saying the speed of educational innovation should be increased to match the speed of social development.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, during a New Year’s meeting with a group of educators, said, “I believe what’s most important in education is respect for the freedom of choice, diversity in content, and the creativity to teach and nurture creative talents.’’

The meeting was attended by 180 people at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul, including the acting chief of the Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations, local education superintendents, teachers, and ruling party and government officials.

Mr Yoon recalled the controversy in 2023 over persisting school violence and a series of suicides by teachers who suffered from malicious complaints from parents, saying his administration will continue to listen to people in the field to come up with fundamental solutions.

He also noted that during his visit to the Netherlands, he learned how the public education system there enabled people to live successfully as professionals even with only a high school diploma and that the key was school was “fun.”

“We must make our classrooms a fun and happy place,” added Mr Yoon. “I promise you that my administration and I will do our best to change the educational environment so that teachers can teach at ease and students can learn happily.’’ 

(Yonhap/NAN)