By Kang Shin-who
More than 1,000 teachers who were rated poorly in an inaugural evaluation program will have to take mandatory training courses to improve their teaching skills, beginning next year.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology announced Monday that some 1,056 teachers who were rated “very poor” or “poor” will undergo the training program during winter vacation.
In case of the group rated “very poor,” which numbers 130 teachers, they will have to take an obligatory program during the spring semester next year.
In contrast, the roughly 500 teachers, graded “excellent,” will be rewarded with 6- to 12-month sabbaticals.
The ministry started the teacher evaluation last March in a move to boost the quality of public education.
The teachers were rated in regards to 18 criteria, such as attitude toward teaching and guiding students, by their colleagues, students and parents. The result of the evaluation will not be connected to promotions or wages, and only those rated as inadequate will have to complete separate training courses.