National Federation of Education College Students Rally at Cheonggye Plaza — 300 Attend
[Herald Economy = Minju Cha] Students from teacher-training colleges urged the government to increase teacher staffing ahead of South Korea’s Teacher’s Day.On May 9, Yonhap reported that the National Federation of Education College Students held a “2026 Local Election Response Joint Action” rally around Cheonggye Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul, to protest the government’s plan to reduce teacher positions. About 300 students attended, representing eight education colleges and student councils from 22 colleges of education nationwide.
The students said the government cites a declining school-age population to justify cuts to teacher positions, but schools are facing staff shortages and are increasingly hiring temporary contract teachers.
They also argued that growing complexity in the education environment has increased teachers’ workloads. With a more diverse student population and the expansion of initiatives such as the high school credit system and AI-based instruction, teachers are shouldering more responsibilities.
Park Joo-hyun, an operations committee member of the education committee at Gyeongin National University of Education, said, “We are seeing more students with diverse needs — from migrant-background students to those experiencing emotional and behavioral crises, and students requiring special education. To provide individualized instruction, teacher staffing must be increased from an educational perspective, not an economic one.”
The federation also urged the government to develop a mid- to long-term teacher supply plan. Lee Mun, president of the student council at Seoul National University of Education and chair of the National Federation of Education College Students, said, “When well-prepared teachers emerge from a strong training environment, the benefits go directly to children. The state should increase university funding and assume greater responsibility for teacher preparation.”
Rally participants also raised concerns about excessive parental complaints and encroachments on teachers’ authority, calling for safer school environments and the creation of a policy forum that includes pre-service teachers.
The federation plans to send a policy questionnaire outlining students’ demands to candidates for superintendent in the June 3 local elections and has requested a meeting with the education minister.
