Proposals backed by 50,000 signatures within 90 days now eligible for review

No petition had ever met the previous 100,000-signature requirement

The National Education Commission announced Tuesday it would ease the requirements for public opinion gathering and mediation requests on education policy. Pictured is Cha Jeong-in, chairperson of the National Education Commission. [National Education Commission]
The National Education Commission announced Tuesday it would ease the requirements for public opinion gathering and mediation requests on education policy. Pictured is Cha Jeong-in, chairperson of the National Education Commission. [National Education Commission]

By Kim Yong-jae, The Herald Business

The National Education Commission announced Tuesday it would ease the requirements for public opinion gathering and mediation on education policy. Under the previous rules, a proposal needed at least 100,000 signatures within 90 days to trigger the process; the revised standard cuts that threshold to 50,000.

The commission said a cabinet meeting had deliberated on and approved an amendment to the enforcement decree of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of the National Education Commission.

The commission gathers public opinion and draws up mediation proposals on education policy issues raised by citizens, the president or the National Assembly. The existing system, however, had drawn criticism for never having been used in practice, owing to its high signature requirement.

Under the amended enforcement decree, a proposal submitted to the commission's public opinion platform will meet the threshold to initiate the opinion-gathering and mediation process once it receives at least 50,000 signatures within 90 days.

Reaching 50,000 signatures does not automatically trigger the mediation process. The commission will first assess the educational significance of the issue before deciding whether to proceed. If the process moves forward, a citizen participation committee will gather public opinion through deliberations and surveys, and the commission will draw up an education policy mediation proposal and forward it to the relevant authorities.

The commission also plans to improve the accessibility and usability of its public opinion platform so that citizens can submit their views more easily.

"We expect this amendment to the enforcement decree to expand meaningful opportunities for public participation in education issues," commission chairperson Cha Jeong-in said. "We will continue to communicate actively with the public to develop effective education policies that resonate with citizens and those working in education."


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