"Teacher's Rights in the Constitution, Student's Rights Under Control?"... Disability Rights Group Criticizes Double Standards of Teacher's Union
"Claiming that Providing Reasonable Accommodations is 'Discrimination' is a Reversal of Human Rights... Withdraw the Bill"

The Disability Rights Solidarity strongly criticized the claims made by the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union. The controversy revolves around the "Partial Amendment Bill of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (Alternative)" passed by the National Assembly's Education Committee on July 8, 2025. The bill fundamentally prohibits the use of students' smart devices during classes, allows restrictions on possession within school premises according to school rules, and includes a provision recognizing exceptions for students with disabilities or in need of special education.

However, the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union argued that this exception provision "raises concerns about promoting discrimination by distinguishing disabled students separately" and demanded a revision of the provision. In response, the Disability Rights Solidarity strongly criticized the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union in a statement released on the 16th, urging them to "withdraw claims that violate the Constitution and international human rights standards."

"Providing reasonable accommodations is not discrimination but a right and legal obligation"

The Disability Rights Solidarity emphasized, "The Jeonbuk Teachers' Union seriously misunderstands the concept of 'providing reasonable accommodations,' which denies the rights explicitly stated in the Disability Discrimination Prohibition Act and international human rights standards." They further stated, "Providing reasonable accommodations is not a 'special favor' for treating disabled individuals separately but a minimum consideration to achieve substantive equality in a democratic society, and a legal obligation."

Moreover, they pointed out, "Before raising concerns about 'leading to discrimination,' the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union needs to work on improving awareness about disabilities."

"Generalizing from a single incident is a violation of human rights... Education should be based on trust, not control"

The Disability Rights Solidarity strongly refuted the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union's claim that the use of smart devices by disabled students could lead to a violation of educational authority, citing the illegal recording incident involving a webtoon artist's child. They stated, "This is a serious generalization error and a hateful frame that uses individual cases as a basis to restrict the rights of all disabled students, directly violating the principles of inclusive education, equality rights guaranteed by the Constitution, and the rights to learn and express."

The statement emphasized, "Education should be based on coordination, support, and trust, not control and exclusion."

"Teacher's Rights in the Constitution, Student's Rights Under Control? Contradictory Attitude"

The Disability Rights Solidarity also criticized the inconsistent attitude of the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union. They stated, "While the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union has strongly advocated for teachers' political rights, we agree that teachers, as citizens, should also be guaranteed political rights." However, they pointed out, "It is contradictory for a teachers' organization to advocate for political rights while supporting the blanket restriction of students' freedom of communication, right to learn, and right to express through national laws."

The Disability Rights Solidarity asserted, "If a teachers' organization claims that teachers' rights are to be spoken in the name of the 'Constitution' and 'democracy' while infringing on students' rights citing 'school order' and 'control,' it is a regression of democracy and reveals an internal power imbalance within the educational community."

Finally, the Disability Rights Solidarity urged the National Assembly to "withdraw the Amendment Bill of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act," stating that "the issue of using smart devices during classes should be coordinated through autonomous agreements among school members and not a matter to be universally prohibited by law."

The Disability Rights Solidarity demanded the Jeonbuk Teachers' Union to "withdraw claims that fuel misunderstandings and stigmas against disabled students and reflect on the philosophy and practice of inclusive education with human rights organizations."

Lastly, they stated, "The rights of disabled individuals are the rights of citizens, and we will stand in solidarity and take action to ensure that disabled students can participate and express themselves equally in the educational environment without discrimination."