Fostering a Safe School Environment

In February, a tragic incident occurred in Daejeon, where a first-grade elementary school student was stabbed to death by a teacher. Initially, many assumed that the teacher’s depression was the primary cause of the crime. However, experts have argued that the incident was not an impulsive act related to depression and may have been premeditated.

Regardless of the exact cause, this case highlights serious flaws in Korea’s system for evaluating teachers’ mental health. Currently, the only assessment is the “aptitude test,” which university students pursuing teaching degrees must pass two to four times. However, this test does not effectively assess mental health, and once teachers enter the profession, no further psychological evaluations are ｒｅｑｕｉｒｅd. This lack of ongoing monitoring creates potential risks for teachers, students, and the overall school environment.

To address this issue, several reforms should be introduced. First, the “Committee for the Review of Teachers with Illnesses,” which currently exists but is not actively functioning, should be expanded and made mandatory nationwide. Second, teachers should undergo regular mental health screenings, both before their appointment and throughout their careers. Lastly, the government should implement policies to provide preventive care and treatment support, helping teachers manage mental health issues caused by work-related stress. Mental health challenges, like physical illnesses, can affect anyone and should be treated with the proper care. Raising awareness and implementing effective policies will help foster a safer and healthier school environment where both teachers and students can thrive.

By Bak Chan-yeong, Junior, Dept. of French Language and Literature