▲ Gyeonggi Superintendent-elect Ahn Min-suk delivers remarks at the inauguration ceremony of the transition committee held at the Gyeonggi Arts Center in Paldal-gu, Suwon, on June 15.
Ahn Min-suk, the superintendent-elect for the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, stated on June 15, "No educational reform can be achieved without the restoration of teachers' authority," adding, "I will keep this promise even if the sky falls."
During the inauguration ceremony of the 6th popularly elected Gyeonggi education transition committee held at the convention hall of the Gyeonggi Arts Center in Paldal-gu, Suwon, Ahn said, "I recently watched the drama 'True Education' in its entirety. It is a drama that has formed a national consensus on the need to rebuild collapsed teachers' authority, and I believe it was made specifically for the era of Superintendent Ahn Min-suk."
'True Education' is a Netflix original series that realistically depicts the crumbling landscape of teachers' authority and features the activities of a fictional agency, the 'Bureau of Teachers' Rights Protection,' established to safeguard the educational field.
The show has gained global popularity beyond Korea, reaching No. 1 among non-English series.
On June 13, Ahn mentioned 'True Education' on his Facebook account and proposed a public debate regarding the establishment of a 'Bureau of Teachers' Rights Protection' within the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education.
He remarked on this day, "I did not expect the proposal for public discussion that I initiated to cause such a stir," and requested, "I ask the transition committee to hold a debate for the restoration of Gyeonggi teachers' authority next week."
He further pledged, "I hope to implement a 'True Education Season 2' in Gyeonggi Province that protects teachers' authority. I will ensure that teachers can focus solely on teaching. We must put an end to a world where adults are afraid of students."
He added, "I will create schools that students are excited to attend, and schools that parents can trust and feel safe sending their children to."
He also stated his principle of discovering policies from the field, regardless of political affiliation.
Ahn declared, "I will transform Gyeonggi education with the spirit of 'Sil-sa-gu-si' (seeking truth from facts) of Dasan, without regard for progressives or conservatives. We will rebuild collapsed education together," adding, "I will end the era where educational policies are decided at bureaucrats' desks. I will find answers in the field."
Furthermore, he emphasized, "Education is the most powerful force to change the world," and added, "I will work to turn policies such as human-centered AI education, resolving educational gaps, safe commuting and childcare, 'breaking down walls' between schools and local communities, and LAS (Literacy, Arts, Sports) into actionable policies."
Ahn has appointed former Minister of Education Kim Sang-gon as the chairman of the transition committee, former Sema High School principal Lee Geon as the senior vice-chairman, and KAIST professor Kim Jung-ho as the chairman of the Special Committee for AI Education Transformation.
The transition committee is composed of four special committees—the Special Committee for AI Education Transformation, the Committee for the Restoration of Teachers' Authority, the Special Committee for Gyeonggi Educational Justice, and the Special Committee for Northern Gyeonggi—along with two task forces: the Gyeonggi Future Education Promotion Group and the Gyeonggi Integration of Early Childhood Education and Care Promotion Group.
Eight policy subcommittees will also operate, covering areas such as overall education policy, LAS, 'Hand Warmer' (a policy initiative), career and vocational training, health and safety, democratic citizenship, breaking down walls, and educational autonomy.
The transition committee, which has set up offices in the Jowon building of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, plans to conclude its activities in July and present an educational vision to the new superintendent.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.