On the morning of the 23rd, at 11:00 AM, the 'National Assembly for the Normalization of Next-Generation Educational Rights' was held on the steps of the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, under the slogan "Don't Touch My Child." [Provided by Doctor Cucumber]

The voices of civil society and religious groups calling for educational diversity and parents' right to educational choice resonated through the National Assembly.

On the morning of the 23rd, at 11:00 AM, the 'National Assembly for the Normalization of Next-Generation Educational Rights' was held on the steps of the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, under the slogan "Don't Touch My Child."

Educational diversity is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution

Centered on the themes of "Education does not belong to the state" and "Freedom of educational choice for parents, the right to learn for students!", the event was attended by political figures, education experts, and parent representatives who spoke with one voice to urge an end to the standardized public education system and demand guarantees for educational diversity and autonomy.

On this day, Kim Min-soo, a supreme council member of the People Power Party, pointed out that education policy, which determines the future of the next generation, should not be confined to state-centered, unilateral, and uniform standards. [Provided by Doctor Cucumber]

In a statement, the organizers referenced Article 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, Constitutional Court precedents, and international human rights treaties such as the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. They explained that all these norms recognize as a fundamental right the parents' right to choose schools that align with their children's values and religion, as well as the freedom to establish private educational institutions.

However, participants argued that the current 'Act on Alternative Educational Institutions,' its enforcement decrees, and additional regulatory legislation being pursued are shrinking the educational landscape. They pointed out that regulatory and punitive administration has led to an increase in cases where the registration of alternative educational institutions is restricted or revoked, thereby undermining students' right to learn.

In particular, they argued that ambiguous terms such as "social consensus" and "political bias" included in legal and administrative standards allow for arbitrary judgments by administrative agencies, infringing upon the unique educational philosophies and values of alternative schools and even threatening their survival. They strongly urged for legislation that effectively guarantees students' right to learn and parents' right to choose their children's education.

The argument is that educational diversity is not a special privilege but a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and international human rights norms; while the state has a responsibility to manage student safety and minimum educational conditions, it should not uniformly control educational content and philosophy.

The primary agents of education are the students and families, not the state

During the event, People Power Party lawmaker Kim Min-jeon criticized the state-led, standardized education system in her main address, emphasizing that "the right of parents to autonomously choose their children's method of education must be institutionally guaranteed." She also expressed her intention to actively engage in legislation and policy improvements at the National Assembly level to ensure that alternative schools and other diverse forms of education are not hindered by excessive, vague regulations or institutional obstacles.

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Min-jeon emphasized, "The right of parents to autonomously choose their children's method of education must be institutionally guaranteed." [Provided by Doctor Cucumber]

People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won reaffirmed that "the primary agents of education are the students and families, not the state or the government," stating that "it is urgent to create an autonomous educational environment that respects the diversity and individuality of children." She also called for policy support to enhance parental educational autonomy and students' right to learn.

Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo of the People Power Party noted that education policy, which determines the future of the next generation, should not be confined to state-centered, unilateral, and uniform standards. He stated that the essence of education comes alive when parents and children can freely choose their path of learning, and pledged that the party would also work together to protect parents' right to educational choice and the autonomy of alternative education.

5 Requirements Requested of the National Assembly

Furthermore, the participating organizations announced 5 key requirements, stating that the National Assembly should move away from state-led, uniform educational control and acknowledge educational diversity:

① Immediately cease bills that infringe upon students' right to learn and parents' right to educational choice.

② Secure educational diversity and autonomy by revising regulations regarding the restriction and revocation of alternative educational institution registrations.

③ Immediately remove ambiguous phrases such as "social consensus" and "political bias" that lead to arbitrary interpretation.

④ Move away from policies focused on punishment and closure, and prepare support measures to assist with institutional integration and registration conversion.

⑤ Immediately initiate substantive legislation that guarantees the educational needs of parents and students.

A representative of the National Solidarity stated, "While the state has a duty to manage student safety and minimum educational conditions, it must not control educational content and philosophy," adding, "We will continue to raise our voices until the end to protect the right of children to receive education that fits their aptitude and beliefs."

Meanwhile, this national assembly was hosted by the office of People Power Party lawmaker Kim Mi-ae and co-organized by numerous educational groups including the 'National Solidarity for the Normalization of Next-Generation Educational Rights' and the 'Korea Church Next-Generation Guardians Association.'

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Mi-ae [YouTube]

[Provided by Doctor Cucumber]

Reporter Lim Yo-hee