"Teacher's Rights in the Constitution, Student's Rights Under Control?"... Disability Rights Group Criticizes Double Standards of Teacher's Union
"Claiming that Providing Reasonable Accommodations is 'Discrimination' is a Reversal of Human Rights... Withdraw the Bill"
The Disability Rights Solidarity strongly criticized the claims made by the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union. The controversy revolves around the "Partial Amendment Bill of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (Alternative)" passed by the National Assembly's Education Committee on July 8, 2025. The bill fundamentally prohibits the use of students' smart devices during classes, allows restrictions on possession within school premises according to school rules, and includes a provision recognizing exceptions for students with disabilities or in need of special education.
However, the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union argued that this exception provision "raises concerns about promoting discrimination by distinguishing disabled students separately" and demanded a revision of the provision. In response, the Disability Rights Solidarity strongly criticized the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union in a statement released on the 16th, urging them to "withdraw claims that violate the Constitution and international human rights standards."
"Providing reasonable accommodations is not discrimination but a right and legal obligation"
The Disability Rights Solidarity emphasized, "The Jeonbuk Teachers' Union seriously misunderstands the concept of 'providing reasonable accommodations,' which denies the rights explicitly stated in the Disability Discrimination Prohibition Act and international human rights standards." They further stated, "Providing reasonable accommodations is not a 'special favor' for treating disabled individuals separately but a minimum consideration to achieve substantive equality in a democratic society, and a legal obligation."
Moreover, they pointed out, "Before raising concerns about 'leading to discrimination,' the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union needs to work on improving awareness about disabilities."
"Generalizing from a single incident is a violation of human rights... Education should be based on trust, not control"
The Disability Rights Solidarity strongly refuted the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union's claim that the use of smart devices by disabled students could lead to a violation of educational authority, citing the illegal recording incident involving a webtoon artist's child. They stated, "This is a serious generalization error and a hateful frame that uses individual cases as a basis to restrict the rights of all disabled students, directly violating the principles of inclusive education, equality rights guaranteed by the Constitution, and the rights to learn and express."
The statement emphasized, "Education should be based on coordination, support, and trust, not control and exclusion."
"Teacher's Rights in the Constitution, Student's Rights Under Control? Contradictory Attitude"
The Disability Rights Solidarity also criticized the inconsistent attitude of the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union. They stated, "While the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union has strongly advocated for teachers' political rights, we agree that teachers, as citizens, should also be guaranteed political rights." However, they pointed out, "It is contradictory for a teachers' organization to advocate for political rights while supporting the blanket restriction of students' freedom of communication, right to learn, and right to express through national laws."
The Disability Rights Solidarity asserted, "If a teachers' organization claims that teachers' rights are to be spoken in the name of the 'Constitution' and 'democracy' while infringing on students' rights citing 'school order' and 'control,' it is a regression of democracy and reveals an internal power imbalance within the educational community."
Finally, the Disability Rights Solidarity urged the National Assembly to "withdraw the Amendment Bill of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act," stating that "the issue of using smart devices during classes should be coordinated through autonomous agreements among school members and not a matter to be universally prohibited by law."
The Disability Rights Solidarity demanded the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union to "withdraw claims that fuel misunderstandings and stigmas against disabled students and reflect on the philosophy and practice of inclusive education with human rights organizations."
Lastly, they stated, "The rights of disabled individuals are the rights of citizens, and we will stand in solidarity and take action to ensure that disabled students can participate and express themselves equally in the educational environment without discrimination."
? Brief Summary:
The Disability Rights Solidarity criticized the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union for opposing a bill that allows exceptions for disabled students in terms of using smart devices in school. They emphasized that providing reasonable accommodations is a right, not discrimination, and education should be based on trust, not control.
?️ Natural Korean Translation:
장애인 권리 연대는 전북 교사 조합이 학교에서 스마트 기기 사용에 대한 예외 사항을 허용하는 법안에 반대하자 비판했습니다. 합리적인 편의를 제공하는 것은 차별이 아닌 권리이며, 교육은 통제가 아닌 신뢰에 기반해야 한다고 강조했습니다.
❓ Comprehension Questions:
1. What did the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union argue regarding the exception provision in the bill?
전북 교사 조합은 법안의 예외 규정에 대해 무엇을 주장했습니까?
2. Why did the Disability Rights Solidarity criticize the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union's attitude towards disabled students?
장애인 권리 연대는 왜 전북 교사 조합의 장애 학생에 대한 태도를 비판했습니까?
3. What did the Disability Rights Solidarity emphasize about education in their statement?
장애인 권리 연대는 성명서에서 교육에 대해 무엇을 강조했습니까?
? Vocabulary Learning:
1. accommodations / 편의 / noun
- Providing accommodations for disabled students is essential for inclusive education.
- 장애 학생들을 위한 편의를 제공하는 것은 포용적 교육에 중요합니다.
2. discrimination / 차별 / noun
- Discrimination based on disabilities is against human rights laws.
- 장애를 이유로 한 차별은 인권법에 어긋납니다.
3. coordination / 조정 / noun
- Effective coordination among teachers and students is vital for a successful school environment.
- 교사와 학생들 간의 효과적인 조정은 성공적인 학교 환경에 필수적입니다.
4. restriction / 제한 / noun
- The school imposed restrictions on using mobile phones during class hours.
- 학교는 수업 시간에 휴대폰 사용을 제한했습니다.
5. inclusive / 포용적인 / adjective
- An inclusive classroom environment welcomes students of all abilities.
- 포용적인 교실 환경은 모든 능력을 가진 학생들을 환영합니다.
💬 댓글 (0)
댓글을 작성하려면 로그인이 필요합니다.
로그인첫 댓글을 작성해보세요!