교육시민단체 활동의 공과와 과제

Abstract

This study attempted to examine the merits and demerits of education NGOs and their tasks in the aspects of ① influence on education policy decision making, ② contribution to eliminating school irregularities and irrational practices, ③ provision of services to education consumers, and ④ contribution to public interests and educational development in general, as well as community education development in particular. The study employed the three research methods: the case studies of eight education NGOs; the questionnaire survey of 493 education NGO activists, education government officers, professors in the field of education, parents and teachers; and interviews with 11 concerned persons. While NGO activists took a skeptical view of the influence of NGOs on education decision making, education officers and scholars perceived it to be strong. All concerned groups perceived that the function of participation in policy process was too strong whereas the activities of monitoring and charging against school irregularities and service function tended to be weak. As for the contribution to the improvement of irrational school practices, teachers and parents are skeptical about it while NGO activists, scholars and education officers showed positive perception. Regarding contribution to public interests and educational development, NGO activists and scholars perceived it positively while education officers, teachers and parents took a skeptical view. Particularly all concerned groups except NGO activists did not perceive that education NGOs contributed to community education development. The tasks for NGOs' development suggested in this study are as follows: to enhance the professionality of NOGs, to strengthen the function of improving school site practices and service provision, to facilitate community-based activities and to secure steady activities.