○ 학벌없는사회를 위한 시민모임에 제보 온 바에 따르면, 광주광역시에 소재한 W중학교의 학생 화장실에 화장지를 비치하지 않아 학생들이 불편을 호소하고 있는 것을 확인되었다. 광주광역시 학생인권 보장 및 증진에 관한 조례(이하, 광주학생인권조례) 제정 이후 학생의 다양한 인권이 강조되고 있지만, 정작 중·고등학교에 이러한 사례가 많을 것으로 보여 광주광역시교육청에 개선을 촉구하였다.

○ W중학교 등 일선 학교에서 학생 화장실에 칸마다 화장지를 비치하지 않는 것은, 화장지를 통째로 넣어 변기가 막히거나 학생들이 짓궂은 장난을 하여 문제가 발생하는 등 화장지 관리가 어렵다는 이유에서이다. 광주 W중학교 관계자도 이 같은 이유 때문에, 각 학년 연구실(교무실)에 화장지를 비치하였고 각 반 담임교사에게 허락을 받아 사용하고 있다고 밝혔다.

 - 문제는 이 학교 뿐 만 아니라, 다른 학교에서도 화장지를 아예 지급하지 않거나 교무실이나 행정실에 비치해 필요하면 사용하도록 조치하는 게 교육현장의 공공연한 사실이란 점이다. 결국 이로 인해 학생들은 집에서 가져온 두루마리 또는 여행용 화장지를 가지고 다니며 사용하고, 화장지가 없는 친구들과 나누어 쓰는 등 학교생활에 어려움을 겪고 있다.

 - 참고로 2017년 광주광역시교육청은 효율적인 화장실 관리를 위한 기획팀을 구성해 현황 파악 등 구체적인 방안(학교표준운영비에서 학급 당 위생용품 구입비를 반드시 마련하도록 학교회계예산편성 기본지침 안내)을 마련하였으며, 일부 학교에서는 화장실 입구에 두루마리 휴지를 비치해 필요한 만큼 사용하는 방향으로 개선을 시도한 바도 있다.

 - 이처럼 학교가 화장지 등 위생용품을 구입하면서도 학생 화장실에 비치하지 않는 근본적인 이유는 학교가 학생들을 신뢰하지 않고, 화장지 사용에 문제가 발생할 경우 토론회나 캠페인, 학생자치회 논의 등 교육적 방식으로 해결할 의지가 없으며, 무엇보다 학생들의 기본적인 생리현상에 대한 고충을 이해하려 하지 않는 학교 측의 태도 때문이다.

○ 학생들의 화장실 화장지 미비치는 단순한 차별이 아니다. 학교가 자체 예산을 들여 교직원 화장실에 비데를 설치하는 곳이 많은 등 교직원의 근무여건보다 학생의 교육여건에 덜 신경을 쓰고 있으며, 아래와 같이 건강과 안전에 관한 권리 및 자치와 참여에 관한 권리 등 관련 조례에 명시된 사항을 위반하고 있다.

 - 광주학생인권조례 제19조 ①항은 “학생은 안전하고 건강한 학교 환경을 보장받을 권리를 가진다.”라고 명시되어 있다. 이처럼 학생들의 기본적인 생리현상 해결에도 어려움을 겪는 현실에서 광주시교육청이 교육의 질과 학생인권을 논하는 것을 이해할 수 없으며, 고속도로 화장실보다 못한 화장실을 써야 하는 학생 화장실 개선이 시급히 필요하다.

 - 또한, 광주학생인권조례 15조 ②항은 “학생은 직접 또는 대표를 통하여 학교 생활 및 정책결정과정에 참여하여 의견을 표명하고 실질적 참여를 위한 권한과 정보를 제공받을 권리를 가진다.”라고 명시되어 있다. 즉, 학교 교직원 회의에서 일방적으로 학생 화장지 비치 방법을 정할 게 아니라, 학생 생활에 중요한 영향을 끼치는 사안인 만큼 당사자 의견을 반드시 반영해야 한다.

○ 이에 학벌없는사회를 위한 시민모임은 『학생 화장실에 화장지, 비누 등 필수 위생용품을 비치하지 않은 학교들을 조사하여 이른 시일 안에 비치하도록 조치할 것』, 『앞으로 화장실 사용 등 학생 생활에서 학생 불편을 최소화하도록 지도할 것』, 『광주학생인권조례를 기반 하여 실질적인 학생인권과 학생자치를 보장할 것』을 광주광역시교육청에 촉구한 상태이며, 국가인권위원회 진정도 검토하고 있다.

2019. 10. 31.
학벌없는사회를 위한 시민모임

- 일반고 방과후학교 본인 희망 2016년 58.9% → 2018년 72.71%
- 일부 학생, 교사・학부모 등 강요 및 주변 분위기에 의해 학습선택권 침해
- 학습선택권 실태조사 결과, 학교 현장조사・컨설팅 등 사후조치 안 돼
- 대다수 학생, 학습선택권 침해 신고센터 인지하지 못해 구제 어려움

○ 학벌없는사회를 위한 시민모임(이하, 학벌없는사회)이 광주광역시교육청(이하, 광주시교육청)으로부터 받은 자료를 분석한 결과. 자율학습, 방과후학교 등 정규교육과정 외 교육활동의 선택권이 비교적 보장되어가고 있는 반면, 학습선택권 관련 실태조사 사후 조치 및 신고센터 안내 등 일부 미비한 점이 있어, 광주시교육청에 정규교육과정 외 교육활동 기본계획(이하, 관련 지침)을 제대로 이행하여 학습선택권 침해가 완전히 사라질 수 있도록 촉구하였다.

○ 학벌없는사회 등 광주지역 인권·청소년·교육단체는 2015년 광주지역 강제학습 대책위원회를 구성하여 학생의 (반)강제적인 학습 선택을 인권침해로 규정하고, 학교 현장조사・온라인 설문조사・국가인권위원회 진정 등을 통해 일선 학교의 강제학습 실태를 폭로하여 제도 개선을 요구하였으며, 이에 장휘국 교육감은 2016년 12월 광주지역 모든 고등학교의 방과후학교와 야간자율학습을 완전자율제로 바꾸는 등 일반고 진로진학교육 혁신 방안을 발표한 바 있다.

 - 방과후학교 등 완전선택제 실시는 경기도・전남교육청에 이어 세 번째로 실시하였는데, 2016년 광주지역 일반고 학생 대상 설문조사 결과(방과후학교 참여자 2851명 중 ‘18.2% 분위기 때문에’, ‘13.7% 선생님 강요’, ‘5.3% 부모 강요’, ‘본인 희망 58.9%’) 등 학습선택권 침해가 매우 심각한 점도 반영되었으며, 위 혁신방안 발표 이후에는 교육활동 선택권 침해 판단기준 마련, 선택권 보장을 위한 예방활동 강화, 선택권 침해 신고 및 구제 등을 담아 관련 지침을 강화해나갔다.

○ 그런데 본 단체는 완전선택제 실시 이후 놀라운 성과를 확인하였다. 

 - 광주시교육청이 실시한 정규교육과정 외 교육활동 선택 운영에 관한 실태조사(이하, 실태조사) 결과를 분석한 결과. 일반고의 경우, 방과후학교의 본인 희망이 2016년 58.9%이었던 반면 2017년 참여자 68.7% 2018년 72.71%로 2017년 완전선택제 도입이후 학생들의 인권보장 수준이 매우 향상되었고, 야간자율학습 역시 2017년 69.7% 2018년 74.3%로 방과후학교 응답률과 일관성 있게 선택권이 보장되었으며, 방과후학교 프로그램 등 온라인 신청도 90%대로 안정화되고 있던 것으로 확인된 것이다.

 - 물론, 선택권 침해 사례가 없었던 건 아니다. 부모님의 권유 또는 강요, 교사의 강요, 주변의 분위기(학생부 기록에 불이익이 생길까봐, 나만 빠지면 안될 것 같아서 등)로 인해 방과후학교, 야간자율학습 등 교육활동을 참여하는 경우도 일부 존재했는데, 단순히 비율이 아니라 선택권 침해를 받고 있는 학생 수를 고려해봤을 때 상당수의 학생이 어려움을 겪고 있는 것으로 확인되었다. 또한, 공휴일 자율학습 금지(고3)나 야간자율학습 중도 선택(중단, 신청) 등 관련 지침을 일부 준수하지 않는 점도 확인하였다.

▲ 2017~2018 일반고 방과후학교, 자율학습 참여 관련 설문조사 결과 중 (단위 : %)

 - 안타까운 것은 이러한 학습선택권 침해가 발생할 시 신고할 「정규교육과정 외 교육활동 선택권 침해 신고센터(이하, 학습권침해 신고센터)」를 대다수 학생이 인지하지 못하고 있다는 점이다. 2017년 이전에는 광주시교육청이 신청서(서면) 예시를 통해 학습권침해 신고센터 및 신고방법에 대해 상세히 안내하였음에도 여전히 학생들이 인지하지 못한다는 것은 단순히 학교・교육청 등의 홍보 부족일 수 있지만, 광주시교육청 여타의 신고센터와 별반 다르지 않은 형식적인 조직인 이유가 크다.

▲ 2017~2018 일반고 방과후학교, 자율학습 참여 관련 설문조사 결과 중 (단위 : %)

 - 특히 문제는 학습선택권 보장 관련 업무지원 체제가 확립되지 않은 점이다. 광주시교육청 중등교육과는 매년 1회 중・고등학생을 대상으로 실태조사를 실시하고, 민주시민교육과는 결과분석에 따라 교육활동 선택권 보장을 침해한 것으로 판정된 학교에 대해 지도단계에 의한 현장방문을 실시해야 한다. 그런데 이 업무를 총괄하는 중등교육과는 민주시민교육과 등 관계 부서에 전혀 업무 협조를 구하지 않았으며, 결국 학교 현장방문 및 컨설팅, 행・재정적 조치 등 지도감독을 제대로 이행하지 못하였다.

▲ 2019학년도 정규교육과정외 교육활동 기본계획 중

○ 이처럼 학생의 학습선택권이 날로 보장되고 있는 반면, 광주시교육청은 수 년 간 실태조사 결과를 비공개해오며 학습선택권 침해를 지도하는데 게을리 하는 등 관련 지침을 제대로 이행하지 않았다. 지금이라도 교육청과 학교는 방과후학교, 야간자율학습 운영 방안 개선으로 학교 교육과정 정상화를 이뤄내고, 학생의 진로와 연계한 맞춤형 교육활동 제공으로 학생의 진로역량 강화를 하여, 학생・보호자와 학생 자율적 선택에 의한 교육활동 운영으로 학생의 진로 계획을 존중하는 학교문화 조성을 만들어나가야 할 것이다.

2019. 10. 30.
학벌없는사회를 위한 시민모임

Tragedy struck in Hong Kong on October 1, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. A fifth-grade secondary school boy participating in a demonstration was shot by police on the same day as the ‘Day of Mourning’ event, held in memory of those killed by state violence. According to the footage released, Hong Kong police fired the shot while confronting protesters, and the stricken student was seriously injured, requiring surgery to extract the bullet. In addition, the government-authorized violence by Hong Kong police is escalating, with police known to have fired warning shots with live ammunition. There has also been vivid testimony of the shame and horror of sexual abuse by the police force, and increased suspicion of murder after a 15-year-old girl was found drowned.

Police in Hong Kong have admitted to firing live ammunition but have not made any official apology. Rather, they labelled the protesters as ‘rioters’ and strongly insisted that police officers felt threatened surrounded by protesters. The incident is a shocking reminder of the indiscriminate suppression of protesters by Hong Kong police, which has been criticized steadily. The shooting of a teenager by Hong Kong police, who was hit in the chest just 3 centimeters away from his heart, was an aggressive act that no words could justify.

Gwangju civil society, including Gwangju citizens, Gwangju civic groups, and political parties, have past experience of both the oppression of public power and the associated fear, and have also fought for human rights through the candlelight assembly, the May 18 Democratic Uprising, and the 1987 June Struggle. We are seriously concerned about the violent crackdown by Hong Kong police, and urge the police to apologize immediately and investigate not only this incident but also various other acts of violence and suspicious deaths. In addition, we urge the Hong Kong police to stop the violent suppression of demonstrations and to guarantee citizens’ freedom of expression and freedom of demonstration.

Although Hong Kong’s administrative minister has officially presented the withdrawal of the repatriation law, Hong Kong citizens are determined to continue their protests, demanding the formal withdrawal of the repatriation law, an independent investigation into the police crackdown, the withdrawal of the label “rioter”, unconditional release and pardon of arrested protesters, and the direct election of the administrative minister. Despite the reduced size, many citizens are still actively joining to protest for Hong Kong’s future and democracy. Amid this situation, the freedom of expression and assembly of Hong Kong citizens is under severe suppression due to the excessive violent crackdown and ban on rallies and marches by the Hong Kong police. Since the June 9 protest of one million people, the number of demonstrators arrested by police has exceeded 2,500, and on the October 1st protest, a reported 66 were injured and 180 arrested. To date, Hong Kong police have indiscriminately cracked down on protesters by wielding batons and firing thousands of rubber bullets and tear gas, and responded excessively by firing water cannons and shooting warning shots with live ammunition following the dispatch of commandos. The intensifying protests are due to such overreaction by the police.

The government should no longer respond to the anger of Hong Kong citizens with violence. The Hong Kong and Chinese governments should face up to the reasons why citizens’ demands for democracy and human rights continue even following the withdrawal of the repatriation law, and listen to the voices of their citizens voluntarily coming out to the streets. The government also needs to swiftly respond to the “white terror” against the pan-democratic camp that led the rally as well as to unconditionally release and pardon the arrested protesters and begin an independent investigation over the police crackdown. In the process, the basic rights, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly should be guaranteed above all else.

Joshua Wong, the leading figure of the Umbrella Revolution, said: “The situation in Hong Kong is more difficult than in South Korea due to the different political system. I hope that the South Korean people and Korean politicians with experience fighting against the military government for democratization can speak out in support of Hong Kong.” Wang Dan, leader of the pro-democracy protests at Tiananmen Square in China, also appealed to Gwangju saying: “Today’s Hong Kong is Gwangju 39 years ago. Just as the international community expressed interest and support for the democratic uprising during Korea’s military dictatorship, now we hope that South Korea can show more attention and provide support to the democratic aspirations taking place in Hong Kong.”

Even if belated, Gwangju civil society wishes a swift recovery for all the injured, including the injured student, and expresses strong solidarity with the resistance of Hong Kong citizens for democracy and human rights.

2019. 10. 25.

Tentatively named “Gwangju Civil Society with Hong Kong Citizens”

Civic Groups & Foundation for Democratization Movement

Gwangju Conference on Human Rights (Siloam People, Gjwomenlink, Gwangju Welfare Sympathy Plus, Gwangju Human Rights Keeper ‘Hwal-Jjak’, Gwangju Citizens’ Community for Society without Academic Clique)

Gwangju Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (Traffic Service Workers Union of Gwangju and Jeonnam, Muscular Dystrophy Association of Gwangju, Gwangju Human Rights Keeper ‘Hwal-Jjak’, Disabled Women Solidarity of Gwangju, Gwangju Disabled Family Welfare Association, Gwangju Association for the Education Rights for Disabilities, Gwangju Parents’ Network for People with Disabilities, Gwangju Center for Independent Living, Gwangju Welfare Association for Disabilities, Gwangju Nanum Center for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities, Labor Party-Gwangju City, Siloam people, Oulim Center for Independent Living of Disabilities, Obang Center for Independent Living of Disabilities, Yegrina Welfare Center for Disabilities, Culture & Tourism Center for Disabilities, Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union-Gwangju Branch, Justice Party-Gwangju City, Korea Brain Disorder Association-Gwangju Branch, Hanmaum Center for Independent Living of Disabilities)

Gwangju Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (Gwangju Women Workers Association, Gjwomenlink, Gwangju Women's Center, Gwangju Women's Human Rights Support Center, Disabled Women Solidarity of Gwangju, Gwangju Women's Hotline, Gwangju Women's Association, and Jeonnam Disabled Women Solidarity)

Gwangju Education Hope Network, The Civic Alliance for Supporting Female Forced Labor Victims, Bereaved Families Association of May 18 Democratic Patriots, May 18 Democratic Movement Victims Association, May 18 Confined and Injured Association, The May 18 Memorial Foundation, Gwangju-Jeonnam Democratic Movement Association, Gwangju-Jeonnam Solidarity Conference of National Democratic Martyrs Commemorate Organization, Gwangju April 19 Democratic Movement Memorial Association, Habsoo Yun Hanbong Memorial Association, Deulbul Martyr Memorial Association

Political Parties

Gwangju Basic Income Party, Labor Party-Gwangju City, Green Party-Gwangju City, Justice Party-Gwangju City