South Korean teachers' dissatisfaction drives record resignations

The Korea Times emphasises that South Korea is grappling with a troubling trend in education as increasing numbers of teachers are leaving their positions before retirement age.

In recent years, Korea has faced a concerning trend of teachers departing from their roles before retirement age, with over 32,000 educators leaving the profession in the past five years alone. This trend has continued into the current year, with more than 3,300 teachers already resigning. A report by Rep. Jung Sung-kook of the ruling People Power Party, based on Ministry of Education data, reveals a marked increase in teacher resignations. 

From 2019 to 2023, a total of 32,704 teachers from national and public elementary, middle, and high schools left their positions. Resignations have surged, climbing from 5,937 in 2019 to 7,404 in 2023. The rise in voluntary resignations, which allows teachers to leave regardless of their years of service, underscores growing dissatisfaction within the profession. The number of teachers opting for voluntary resignation increased from 690 in 2021 to 924 in 2023. Additionally, honorary retirements, which allow teachers with over 20 years of service to retire early, also grew, from 5,242 in 2021 to 6,480 in 2023. Recent data indicates that between March and August of this year, 3,367 teachers left their positions, with 2,614 choosing honorary retirement and 753 resigning voluntarily. If current trends continue, honorary retirements may decline, while voluntary resignations could rise to approximately 1,500. 

Experts point to several factors driving the increasing rates of teachers leaving their positions, including diminishing respect for the teaching profession, challenges in student management, and insufficient compensation. Particularly concerning is the trend of younger teachers, those with fewer than ten years of experience, exiting the field. Data from the Ministry of Education indicates that 576 teachers with less than ten years of service resigned between March of the previous year and February of this year, up from 448 in 2020.   A survey by the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA) in August revealed that 86 per cent of educators in their 20s and 30s have considered leaving due to dissatisfaction with their salaries.   Rep. Jung Sung-kook emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "The ongoing increase in voluntary resignations and early retirements underscores a serious issue. The government must urgently address the problems related to student management, diminished teaching authority, and low compensation to retain skilled educators."  

The issue gained further prominence in July of last year when a teacher at Seoul Seoi Elementary School died by suicide, reportedly due to stress from numerous parent complaints. Although the police investigation concluded with no criminal charges, the incident sparked nationwide protests among teachers, drawing attention to their treatment and the broader issues of teaching authority and student management challenges.