If a person commits assault, intimidation, defamation, or the like against a daycare teacher, the state and local governments will strictly investigate and handle the case in accordance with the law.
The Ministry of Education said on the 17th that a partial amendment to the enforcement decree of the Child Care Act with these provisions was reviewed and approved at a Cabinet meeting.
According to the enforcement decree, even if a complaint is filed against child care staff, they will be guaranteed sufficient opportunity to explain. It also bars any personnel disadvantage before the investigation results are finalized.
The intent is to establish a legal foundation so that legitimate child care activities are not stifled by complaints or petitions.
The Ministry of Education plans to allow dedicated units to be set up at central and local child care support centers to protect the child care activities of daycare teachers and other staff. When daycare directors and teachers face unjust verbal abuse or malicious complaints, they will also be able to receive psychological counseling and legal support.
Kim Jeong-yeon, director for early childhood support at the Ministry of Education, said, "Dedicated units are currently operating at the Seoul and Gyeonggi provincial child care support centers," and added, "In consultation with local governments, we plan to expand the dedicated units nationwide."