An English conversation specialist instructor was assaulted by a student but was found to be excluded from protection for educational activities under the current system, leaving the instructor without adequate support.
The Ulsan branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) National School Irregular Workers' Headquarters said on the 18th, "On the 8th at an elementary school in Ulsan, a fourth-grade student kicked an English conversation specialist instructor and committed verbal abuse in an incident infringing on educational activities."
The union said, "The victim instructor is experiencing psychological difficulties after the incident without receiving official protection or support from the education authorities," and added, "Even though English conversation specialist instructors take charge of regular classes just like dedicated English teachers and work full time, they are excluded from the teacher rights protection system simply because they are called 'instructors.'"
The victim instructor is said to have worked as an English conversation specialist instructor for 16 years. The instructor is currently on sick leave.
The student who committed the assault reportedly issued a written apology and received measures from the school life education committee.
The union demanded that the Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education provide psychological and administrative support for English conversation specialist instructors, incorporate them into the protection system for educational activities, and prepare measures to prevent a recurrence.
The office of education explained that because English conversation specialist instructors hold the status of "instructors" under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, they are not covered by the Special Act on the Improvement of Teachers' Status and the Protection of Their Educational Activities.
However, it said it is providing support such as psychological counseling through interdepartmental consultations and will review supplementing the system and preparing on-site safety measures going forward.