By Sho Chang-young
June 1 is the local election day of South Korea. According to the National Election Commission (NEC), seven types of local public officials are to be elected all around the country. It is apparent that people's political interest is lower in local elections than in presidential or parliamentary elections. However, to make the right choice, we need to be familiar with the duties and roles of these elected officials.
As part of that effort, I would like to describe one type of these local officials: the education superintendent. The reason for this is that the general electorate's understanding and interest in the superintendent is not relatively high. And I am confident that I know more than other ordinary people, at least in part.
One superintendent is elected for each metropolitan (or provincial) area, a total of 17 people across the country. Unlike all other elected local officials, the superintendent cannot belong to a political party. It is said that it was so codified for "political neutrality in education." Nonetheless, in reality, the candidates are willing to reveal their political leanings openly, and people take it for granted.
The superintendent shall manage all local education programs except university education, which is administered and controlled by the central government. The status and power of the superintendent is described in detail in the Republic of Korea's Act on Local Education Autonomy (Act No. 17662, Chapter Ⅲ, Section 1, Articles 18~29-3). Its main and practical concepts can be explained as follows.
First, the superintendent arranges and manages the deployment and management of human and material resources of all kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools (except universities) in their metropolitan/provincial autonomous region. They can impose advice and supervision on schools, or direct control, if necessary. In this regard, it is known that the personnel and budgetary powers and responsibilities exercised by the superintendent are never weaker than those of the governor or mayor.
Second, the superintendent oversees the organization and operation of the curriculum for the schools under their control. Of course, the central government is supposed to promulgate the national curriculum, but the superintendent can add or modify the curriculum courses as needed. Should this authority be exercised properly, the curriculum and policies of each education borough can be operated discriminatorily. Front-line teachers feel these effects in person and put them into practice for their students.
Third, the superintendent has great authority to influence the private education sector as well as public education. For example, they have absolute power on the establishment and the operation of various private academies. This is related directly to the private education fees and is one of the education issues that parents are most sensitive to.
Now, it is often the case that a progressive superintendent adopts a conservative policy, or conversely, a conservative superintendent goes progressive. So if you vote based only on your political leanings, the education polices of the elected superintendent may disappoint you. That is why we need to know the role and duties of the superintendent as mentioned above and to check in advance what vision each candidate has for this.
Most parents will actively prefer superintendent candidates who can contribute to the normalization of public education and the reduction of private education costs. A little further, I hope that you will review carefully the materials such as public forums, campaigns, and election bulletins related to the superintendent candidates provided before the local elections.
The achievements and impact of the superintendent you elect this time will take shape eventually in the future. Imagine our school-age generations smiling brightly. And look forward to their successful later lives. Your prudent and thoughtful vote for superintendent will promote it.
The writer (sochan57@naver.com) is a retired principal of Gunsan Girls' High School.
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As part of that effort, I would like to describe one type of these local officials: the education superintendent. The reason for this is that the general electorate's understanding and interest in the superintendent is not relatively high. And I am confident that I know more than other ordinary people, at least in part.
One superintendent is elected for each metropolitan (or provincial) area, a total of 17 people across the country. Unlike all other elected local officials, the superintendent cannot belong to a political party. It is said that it was so codified for "political neutrality in education." Nonetheless, in reality, the candidates are willing to reveal their political leanings openly, and people take it for granted.
The superintendent shall manage all local education programs except university education, which is administered and controlled by the central government. The status and power of the superintendent is described in detail in the Republic of Korea's Act on Local Education Autonomy (Act No. 17662, Chapter Ⅲ, Section 1, Articles 18~29-3). Its main and practical concepts can be explained as follows.
First, the superintendent arranges and manages the deployment and management of human and material resources of all kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools (except universities) in their metropolitan/provincial autonomous region. They can impose advice and supervision on schools, or direct control, if necessary. In this regard, it is known that the personnel and budgetary powers and responsibilities exercised by the superintendent are never weaker than those of the governor or mayor.
Second, the superintendent oversees the organization and operation of the curriculum for the schools under their control. Of course, the central government is supposed to promulgate the national curriculum, but the superintendent can add or modify the curriculum courses as needed. Should this authority be exercised properly, the curriculum and policies of each education borough can be operated discriminatorily. Front-line teachers feel these effects in person and put them into practice for their students.
Third, the superintendent has great authority to influence the private education sector as well as public education. For example, they have absolute power on the establishment and the operation of various private academies. This is related directly to the private education fees and is one of the education issues that parents are most sensitive to.
Now, it is often the case that a progressive superintendent adopts a conservative policy, or conversely, a conservative superintendent goes progressive. So if you vote based only on your political leanings, the education polices of the elected superintendent may disappoint you. That is why we need to know the role and duties of the superintendent as mentioned above and to check in advance what vision each candidate has for this.
Most parents will actively prefer superintendent candidates who can contribute to the normalization of public education and the reduction of private education costs. A little further, I hope that you will review carefully the materials such as public forums, campaigns, and election bulletins related to the superintendent candidates provided before the local elections.
The achievements and impact of the superintendent you elect this time will take shape eventually in the future. Imagine our school-age generations smiling brightly. And look forward to their successful later lives. Your prudent and thoughtful vote for superintendent will promote it.
The writer (sochan57@naver.com) is a retired principal of Gunsan Girls' High School.
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