May 15th Marks Teachers' Day in Korea

Some things never change.

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Current students, former students, parents they all want to show teachers their appreciation on Teacher's Day.
Cake and carnations top the list of traditional gifts here in Korea.. gifts designed to show appreciation and thank teachers for their efforts.

[Interview : Park Jong-hak, Teacher Bokja Girls' High School] "I missed my students so much, and it's great to meet them again".

While many in Korea send presents or at least write cards to their favorite teachers to mark the occasion,. overall teachers are becoming more and more dissatisfied with their role and perceived respect in society.

According to a recent online survey of more than three-thousand teachers, by the Korean Federation of Teachers' Association,. eight out of ten teachers say they are less satisfied with their work than they were before.

The percentage of respondents who said their level of satisfaction has fallen increased from some 55 percent in 2009 to a whopping 81 percent this year.

Reasons behind this increasing dissasfaction

The survey showed that teachers believe that the respect once accorded their profession is fading. With students struggling with gruelling school schedules and school violence, much else is falling by the wayside.

It's all a good reminder that teacher's day is a day to remember and appreciate the teachers who were there and are there for us and our children.

Park Ji-won, Arirang News.

MAY 15, 2012
Reporter : jiwonpark@arirang.co.kr