Two special-education teachers and the principal and vice principal at a public kindergarten in Sejong were accused by parents on allegations of child abuse and neglect. The kindergarten's teachers say the Sejong Office of Education prioritized placing students without addressing overcrowding in special-education classes, which they said has worsened on-site safety issues and conflict.
Police and others said on the 10th that a parent of a special-education class at a public kindergarten in Sejong reported two special-education teachers, the principal, and the vice principal to the Sejong Police Station on the 29th on allegations of child abuse and neglect.
The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) Sejong Chapter said the teachers were injured in the process of providing guidance to the child, including being bitten or struck on the head. The kindergarten said it took safety measures, including urgently moving other children and asking guardians to pick up their children early.
Separate from the allegations of child abuse and neglect that authorities are currently investigating, the teachers say overcrowding in special-education classes was behind the conflict. Teacher A at the kindergarten said, "The problem grew because special-education children were concentrated at one kindergarten without adding more special-education classes."
This kindergarten, which opened in 2024, saw six additional special-education children placed there in Mar., bringing the number of students in special-education classes to eight. Under the Special Education Act, the class size for kindergarten special-education classes is four, meaning twice the legal class size was assigned.
The Sejong Office of Education says it was unavoidable, considering the principle of placement near home and the right to learn. An official at the office said, "Even if adding special-education classes is difficult, we discussed with the kindergarten a plan to first place students and then prepare classrooms that can meet class-size limits." The office said it funded remodeling costs, and the kindergarten renovated an existing toy storage area to use as an additional special-education class.
Teachers counter that the "place first, secure space later" approach cannot guarantee safety and the right to education. A said, "A child with a physical disability needs accessible bathrooms and a structured classroom environment to maintain focus," adding, "The office of education did not adequately consider the specific needs of special-education environments."
Nationwide, overcrowding in special-education classes is improving. The rate of classes exceeding capacity fell to 3.8% last year from 10.1% in 2024, and the average number of students per kindergarten special-education class is 3.3, below the legal class size. But some say temporary overcrowding that occurs due to midyear placements may not be fully reflected in the statistics.
An education-sector official said, "On the surface it appears as conflict between teachers and students and parents, but sometimes the background is a lack of space and staff," adding, "If students are placed first and facilities and personnel are supplemented later, similar problems can recur."