Teachers May Be Bestowed One Sabbatical Year

The Ministry of Education is actively considering introducing a sabbatical year for elementary, middle, and high school teachers, and raising their allowances.
The education minister Lee Hae Chan reported to the cabinet meeting the governments measures to promote the welfare of teachers on May 11.
According to the measures, the ministry is going to enlarge the temporary retirement from office, which is currently applied to teachers studying in research and education agencies, to a independent study program. A teacher enrolled in this program can receive half his basic salary.
The education ministry is also actively considering bestowing one sabbatical year to the teachers who have taught students over 15 years.
It is now negotiating with the National Budget Administration to raise the additional money paid to a class teacher every month, from 30,000 won up to 100,000 won.
The ministry plans to hire 1000 elementary school teachers and 1000 middle school teachers, respectively, every year for 5 years from 2000 to relieve the class room burden of teachers.
Jangsoo Seo:jsbee@joongang.co.kr