On September 22, 2024, South Korea’s Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Council of Provincial Superintendents, announced comprehensive measures to strengthen school complaint handling and protect educational activities. Under the new policy, school complaints can no longer be submitted via teachers’ personal contacts or social media; only official channels designated by schools are permitted. In cases of serious violations such as assault or sexual harassment, the Teacher Rights Protection Committee will review the case and recommend that the superintendent file a direct report. Principals are also granted emergency authority to stop malicious complaints, issue warnings, request removal, or restrict access.
The measures clarify complaint handling procedures and propose the legalization of dedicated complaint response teams. Schools will unify complaint channels through official phone numbers and the online parent communication system ‘Eardream,’ with operational plans based on last year’s pilot results. The number of Educational Activity Protection Centers will expand to over 110 this year. Teachers who suffer serious harm, such as assault or sexual violence, will receive up to 10 days of special leave, and parents who refuse required education or therapy will face an increased fine of 3 million KRW.
Stakeholder feedback from teacher unions, parent groups, and local education offices influenced the exclusion of certain measures, such as recording incidents in student records, pending further legislative review. Additional initiatives include adding 750 dedicated complaint counseling rooms in schools, expanding administrator training, and launching campaigns to foster mutual respect among teachers, parents, and students. The Ministry and local education offices will jointly operate a policy council to monitor and improve these protections.
This policy marks a significant shift by defining complaint handling and educational activity protection as institutional responsibilities, not individual teacher burdens. The government aims to establish a comprehensive protection system linking central, regional, and school-level efforts. Legislative amendments and system upgrades are expected to continue, with ongoing input from the field. These reforms are anticipated to enhance teacher authority, safeguard student learning rights, and create a safer, more supportive educational environment.
By shifting complaint management from individual teachers to institutional systems, these reforms reduce teacher workload and promote transparency in school administration. The expansion of digital platforms like ‘Eardream’ and the formalization of response teams will streamline complaint processing and strengthen legal support for educators. Ultimately, these measures are poised to rebuild trust among teachers, parents, and students, fostering a healthier and more resilient educational ecosystem in South Korea.