The government announced a series of safety measures to prevent tragedies like the recent fatal stabbing of an 8-year-old student. Acting President Choi Sang-mok revealed the new initiatives on Monday during a meeting about education policies.
“School safety management will be significantly strengthened in the new semester,” Choi stated. He emphasized that preventing incidents like this one must be a priority for the education system.
Among the new measures, the government will push for the quick passage of a law aimed at addressing violent teachers. The law will make it easier for authorities to remove teachers with aggressive or violent tendencies from classrooms. High-risk teachers may also be placed on administrative leave if necessary.
In addition, the government plans to expand surveillance camera coverage in school blind spots. They will also improve safety management both inside and outside of school premises.
Choi highlighted the importance of tighter safety protocols for young students. First- and second-grade students enrolled in the “Neulbom School” program will benefit from these enhanced measures. This program provides before- and after-school care and education to students.
The government will deploy approximately 8,000 personnel to ensure better protection for young students. These staff members will oversee face-to-face handovers and accompany students during their commutes.
This response comes after a tragic incident earlier this month in which a female teacher in her 40s fatally stabbed an 8-year-old girl at an elementary school in Daejeon. The teacher had a history of depression and had attended the Neulbom School program.
The government is committed to ensuring the safety of all students and preventing similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
