SEOUL: In response to the tragic stabbing of an eight-year-old student by a teacher, the government is advancing legislation that would allow authorities to place teachers on mandatory leave if they are deemed unfit to perform their duties due to mental illness or other conditions.
Education Minister Lee Joo-ho announced Wednesday (Feb 12) that the law, named after the victim, Kim Ha-neul, will be implemented to monitor the mental health of school teachers.
He added that the government will also consider measures for urgent intervention when teachers display unusual symptoms, such as violent behaviour.
“Upon a teacher’s reinstatement, the government will make it mandatory to confirm the ability of the teacher to perform their duties normally,” Lee said.
On Monday, a female teacher in her 40s stabbed a first grader at an elementary school in Daejeon as the child was leaving an after-school session.
The teacher, who had been receiving treatment for depression since 2018, had originally filed for a six-month leave of absence on Dec 9, 2024.
She returned to work 22 days later on Dec 31, stating that she was able to perform normal teaching duties.
According to testimonies from other faculty members at the school, the teacher in her 40s had also behaved violently toward a fellow teacher.
At the time, while the school had reported to the Daejeon Office of Education that the suspect must take another leave of absence, the Education Office told the school that it could not be done as she had already taken a leave of absence for the same reason.
“We understand that parents are anxious and concerned ahead of the start of a new school year,” said Lee.
“We will continue to closely monitor student safety and implement safety measures, such as controlling access to schools by outsiders, enhancing student safety in schools as well as safety measures for students enrolled in after-school programmes.” - The Korea Herald/ANN
