Controversy over students having to apologize to residents around the school

Controversial apology

Nowadays, more and more schools in Korea are choosing to require students to gather in the schoolyard and shout out an apology to the residents living around the school before starting outdoor sports or cultural activities.

For example, in a video that has gone viral on social media, a teacher at an elementary school had to announce over the school’s loudspeaker system that a sports event was about to be held at the school and that the noise could affect the residents living around the school. The school apologized in advance and hoped that the residents living around the school would understand.

Then, the elementary school students shouted out in unison the apology: "We're sorry."

The video went viral on social media after being shared by a resident living in an apartment building near the school.

Nowadays, school-level sports and art performances in Korea have gradually become quieter activities, as people often complain to local authorities about being "too noisy".

In Korea, apartment complexes built near schools are considered an ideal choice for families with school-age children to live in. However, in recent years, residents of apartment complexes and residential areas near schools have often complained to authorities about the noise created by collective activities taking place at schools.

This makes it difficult for many schools to hold sports and art performances on campus. Many schools choose to send an apology to residents through the loudspeaker system before the event begins.

Controversy over students having to apologize in unison to households around the school (Video: Newshotline/YouTube).

The Haunting of Schools

It is not uncommon for schools to be reported to the authorities for making noise. According to SBS (South Korea), in May 2024, an elementary school in Seoul was reported to the police by residents living near the school for making noise during a sporting event.

Previously, in 2022 in Jeonju city, in 2019 in Daejeon city, some schools were also forced to organize smaller-scale sports festivals, due to protests from residents of neighboring apartment buildings.

Maeil News (Korea) quoted a vice principal of an elementary school as saying: "When complaints and reflections are sent to the authorities repeatedly, the Departmentof Education will ask the school to be more careful in the way it organizes events. To avoid problems that may arise, sometimes, we are forced to prioritize the people living around the school over the students."

To strengthen the bond between the school and the surrounding community, an elementary school in Gangseo District, Seoul, has taken the initiative to invite residents to attend school events. At the same time, the school also sends notices to households in advance, calling for support and sympathy.

“Rather than just asking for sympathy, enjoying the fun atmosphere together at events will bring about a bond between the school and the residents around the school. The feedback from the residents afterwards is much more positive,” said an official from the school in Gangseo District.

Nowadays, school-level sports and art performances in Korea are gradually becoming quieter activities (Illustration: Leoai).

From this small story, the Korean online community expressed concern that residential areas and apartment buildings being built too close to schools will become a factor that affects the schools.

Many opinions say that organizing school-level sports events - an outdoor activity that is collective and helps students develop physically - should be supported by the community, instead of being restricted for reasons related to noise.

The fact that students have to apologize to the community before playing and exercising on campus has caused controversy among Korean public opinion about the current relationship between the community and schools.

One parent was upset: "Why do the school and the students have to apologize? The sports festival only takes place once or twice a year. Can't children run, jump, and play freely and comfortably?"

Another person commented: "School is not only a place to impart knowledge, but also a place to help students practice physical fitness, interaction skills and cooperation. Students learn many things through group activities such as sports or art performances.

Residents living around the school should not only focus on the inconvenience, but also think about the educational nature of these events."

According to SBS/Maeil

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/tranh-cai-viec-hoc-sinh-phai-dong-thanh-xin-loi-cac-ho-dan-quanh-truong-20250517161734040.htm