Anyone involved in the education of children or teenagers understands that sound disciplinary measures and the consistent application thereof are just as instrumental in the development of young minds as a solid and well-planned lesson. An enthralling lecture only goes so far, as the teacher must constantly balance his or her role as an educator with the essential presence as figurehead and leader of the class.
Regardless of teaching methodology, the teacher must maintain this authority throughout. Some might prefer the title of mentor to teacher or lecturer to educator, but playing semantics is simply a waste of the already limited face-time that students have in a traditional classroom environment. In other words, more than enough time has been wasted here in Korea on the corporal punishment debate and it’s time to settle it.
The fact of the matter is that many Koreans have a predilection towards using some form of physical punishment at school. It might be a forceful palm or maybe the famed “love stick” that comes down on the hands or legs of the students, but debating how it came to be is a waste of energy. And sure, we could have a great time sniffing around the history books trying to pinpoint the cause all we want just like we could throw around stats and studies proving its effectiveness one way or the other, but while we’re doing that, teachers and students are falling through the ambiguous and increasingly litigious cracks.
Modern Korean Policy Positions
On one side of the spectrum are the teachers and school administrators who are overwhelmingly in favor of corporal punishment. There are differences found on how and when it should be applied and the level of protection a teacher receives after its use, but it’s safe to say that, yes, schools are in favor of this disciplinary tool. On the other side, of course, are the students. They are uniformly opposed to it as witnessed throughout their occasional protests, staged walk-outs and distribution of human rights material on campus. There won’t be any concessions on either side here. Remember, Korean culture is not setup to allow open negotiation between these two parties.
This leaves us with the parents. In general, parents’ support a limited use of force at school. They grew up with it and it’s just as much a part of education as tests and homework are. However, they continually find themselves trapped between a powerful and politically connected teachers union (Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union) and their own children. That’s a tough position to be in and when mixed with the fact that “culture” in Korea oftentimes gets lionized as omniscient, parents are noticeably at a loss of words and really have no one to turn to. To them, I offer a simple solution.
The chief concern with corporal punishment is not that it’s being used, but that it’s being misused. In 2008, there was a terrible case in Seoul where a truant student was flogged on the foot nearly one-hundred times by a teacher. After school, the student went to local park and hanged himself. It’s impossible to know for sure if the punishment caused or was even correlated with the suicide, but the press reported it in such a way thus sending the message to parents that excessive punishment can possibly be related to suicide. And in a nation like Korea – which leads the OECD in suicide rate per capita – each and every cause must be considered.
While parents might be parents first, they also understand the challenge of teaching large groups of students. Some classrooms in Korea are filled with as many as fifty to sixty kids. In that situation, if a teacher wants to even attempt to properly educate the students, an iron-fist approach just might be one of the best options. The problem, of course, is when that one teacher has that one student on that one day and lets the emotions and anger of the situation overtake clear reasoning and thinking and a simple slap turns into thirty lashes to the thigh. Obviously, the result is not pretty and that is what the kids take home for mom and dad to see and that is what makes it on the evening news.
The Solution to the Corporal Punishment Debate
Since the teachers still claim that an outright ban makes teaching impossible for them, while the students claim that most teachers can’t keep their composure in a tense situation where their authority is threatened, nothing is being settled. Luckily, there is a solution. It’s not perfect, but it covers most of the basics. Each school needs to be equipped with a central figure that is not only in charge of all disciplinary measures, but who is also in charge of doling out corporal punishment.
In this scenario, the threat of force is still real so the teachers can still have that ace up their sleeve and the students won’t have to worry about a teacher who gets caught up in the moment. This disciplinary figure will not only be tasked with administering punishment, but he will also be given the role of mediator between the teacher, administration, parents and students. It won’t be an easy job and the rigorous screening process will be a testament to its importance.
As a nation, Korea is not at the point where they are ready to throw corporal punishment out the window and that is their right. Still, no one should be subjected to brute violence at the hand of an overzealous emotional nutcase who happens to have a teaching license. I’m sure this debate will continue to rage for years to come, but in the meantime, let’s pass some helpful legislation that will start helping immediately.
George Hogan - Originally from the United States, I have been calling South Korea my home for the past five years. I'm currently based out of Seoul where ...
