"Principal Orders Identification of Teachers Who Showed World Cup in Class... Students Protest with Official Statement"

Student Protests: "Ignoring Teachers' Autonomy and Authority"

On the morning of the 12th, when the first group stage match between South Korea and the Czech Republic of the 2026 North American World Cup took place, students gathered in the Democracy Auditorium on the 4th floor of Jeonbuk National University Student Town cheered as the team won 2-1. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

With the South Korean national football team's first victory fueling the excitement of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup, controversy has erupted after the principal of a high school in Gyeongbuk identified teachers who showed the World Cup match during class. In response, a student from the school issued a statement strongly protesting the principal's actions.

The controversy arose on the 12th, the day the South Korean national team secured a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their first group stage match. Since the kickoff was at 11 a.m., many schools were in the middle of classes, and it is reported that in some classrooms, teachers, at their own discretion, watched the match together with students.

On the 12th, during the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Group A match between Korea and the Czech Republic, students from Yeongdeok Middle School in Gyeongbuk are cheering for the Korean national team as they watch the game broadcast on a large electronic scoreboard at the National Science Museum in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. Photo by Yonhap News

At a high school in Gyeongbuk, some teachers also allowed their students to watch the broadcast during class time, considering the students' morale. However, the principal, upon learning of this, reportedly described the teachers' actions as "the most infuriating moment at school," summoned the teachers in a coercive manner, and ordered that those who showed the World Cup broadcast be identified.

When this news spread, students protested, calling it an "excessive measure." In particular, the school's student council vice president, identified as A, released a statement arguing that "teachers provided a meaningful experience for students weary from academic work" and that "it was a form of living education that fostered a sense of community and emotional connection."

"We Must Restore the True Essence of Education, Not Just Pay Lip Service to School Values"

In the statement, A called for the following: ▲Immediate cessation of the principal's coercive actions in ignoring the school's values of "honesty, cheerfulness, and diligence" and attempting to "identify" and criticize teachers; ▲A sincere apology for disregarding teachers' autonomy and authority and creating a rigid educational environment; ▲A demand to restore the true essence of education, not just pay lip service to school values.

A story spread that the principal of a high school identified teachers for playing the World Cup broadcast during class time, prompting a student to release a statement. Screenshot from SNS

School Responds: "Measures Taken in Consideration of Learning Environment"

The school stated it respects A's right to raise concerns but drew a line, saying that some parts of the statement did not reflect the facts. In particular, the school claimed that terms such as "identify" were exaggerated.

A school official explained, "At that time, important exams were approaching for third-year students that would affect their academic records, so it was necessary to maintain normal class operations and a proper learning atmosphere." The official added that, due to the classroom structure, noise could have disturbed other classes. The school also made it clear that neither students nor teachers would face any disadvantages as a result of this matter.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.