There is a controversy on introducing the introduction of flextime system to the teaching profession. There have been divided opinions on the issue. The government brought out this system with an expectation to increase the employment rate to 70 percent or above. This system operates by limiting each employee to 4 hours of work a day and 15 to 25 hours per week. Teachers would be paid for the hours they worked. Basically the teachers work less and get paid less according as they would have reduced working hours. It is claimed that this would make a difference for irregular workers, as their retirements would be guaranteed like those of regular workers.

It needs no saying that there are those voicing their support for these changes in the system. Those who are in favor argue for introducing this policy, it allows for the creation of more jobs and provides flexible working hours. However, although it would lead to certain positive results, this system should be abolished as there is a higher possibility of negative effects. Approximately eighty percent of teaching staff at faculties are against this policy –considering the distinctive characteristics of the academic profession. Of the 4,157 teaching staff identified as working at educational nationwide by the Korean Federation of Teachers’ Association (KFTA), 82.7% stated opposition to the system. Their main reason to oppose is that the plan does not connect with current realities. Firstly, teachers currently have trouble in areas such as guiding students through work, performing their duties to assist students in many other areas. Secondly, as duties and administrative procedures are divided between multiple-teachers in charge, there is a growing burden in handling their own tasks. Thirdly, it can build up sense of incompatibility depending on different teachers’ standing. Lastly, hosting special ceremonies such as sporting events and community activities would become difficult.

The roles of teaching professionals are as important as acquiring an education. That is to say teachers take up a significant proportion of and are critical to the success of the educational system. The government is sticking to a policy on planning to single out changes for 600 part-time teachers by the next year. And I believe what matters the most is to break bounds that constrain education by limiting budgets. The problem of demand and supply of teachers and the difficulty in finding employment should be reformed through a full-time teacher system, not with a flexible working schedule. As a matter of fact, there are declines in eligible teachers each year and makeshifts policies are causing chaos in the spot of education.

It would be more persuasive if part-timing system was brought out to enhance the educational field and to offer more chance for education for students. As a controversy flares up concerning the instituting of this system, negative effects on students will need to be considered above all before adopting this policy.

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