코로나19 이후 대안교육기관 이용 학생의 안전 및 학습권 보장에 관한 쟁점 및 개선 과제 연구

Abstract

On January 12, 2021, the “Act on Alternative Education Institutions” was enacted. However, after the enactment of the law, on January 23, 2021, a massive coronavirus outbreak was reported at an unauthorized alternative education institution run by a religious group. Approximately 420 people, including students, linked to the institution were found to be infected with COVID-19. This raised concerns over the student safety and the lack of information on students enrolled in unauthorized alternative education institutions. Hence, this study analyzes the results of the survey on unauthorized alternative education institutions, reviews the current issues related to students’ right to learn and the safety of students at alternative education institutions after COVID-19, and suggests the legislative and policy measures for improvement. This study presents the following issues related to alternative education institutions: the challenges of surveying and examining the current status of unauthorized institutions, the lack of student safety measures, insufficient penalties for the violation of current law, and deficient financial support for registered institutions. As a result, we propose the following legislative and policy measures to address the issues identified above. First, an inter-ministerial system for sharing information on alternative education institutions needs to be established. Second, plans to encourage registration and guidelines on follow-up measures in case of violation of the law need to be prepared, Third, financial support from local authorities to registered institutions needs to be expanded. Fourth, it is necessary to establish a minimum requirement for unregistered institutions educating children of compulsory school age to file a notification or report.