The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) organized a forum on a “Policy Formation of School Culture in favor of Human Rights” on April 6.
The NHRCK established a Research and Planning Group on the Formation of Human Rights-Friendly School Culture (Research and Planning Group) on December 28 2011 in light of a worrisome situation of school environment in terms of continuous suicide cases due to punishment from a teacher and violence from a peer group, and disrespect for teachers.
At the forum, focusing on the research outcome of the Research and Planning Group, the following topics were discussed; 1) Measures to protect human rights of a student and authority of a teacher, 2) Alternative programs in replacement of punishments 3) Preventative measures against school violence, and 4) Stabilization of the public education.
The Research and Planning Group consists of 11 education experts who had worked on the improvement of policies and alternatives in relation to school violence in 3-month consultation with the Office of Education, Teachers’ Association, schools, the Ministry of Education and Science and the National Police Agency for.
At the forum were published 5 reports on the subject of 1) Human Rights Situation of the Student and its Improvement Measures alongside with the Enactment of the Ordinance of Students’ Human Rights, Measures to Protect Teachers’ Authority, Sound Alternatives in replacement of Punishments, Understanding of School Violence and Preventative measures in light of Human Rights, and Strengthening the Public Education on Human Rights.
The NHRCK will make a recommendation to the relevant authorities a Proposal for a Comprehensive Education Policy for the Formation of Human Rights-Friendly School Culture by taking into consideration issues discussed at the forum.
