Evolution of the educational environment and relationships between principals, teachers, and students: A comparative study with <Les Choristes>

Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between school principals, teachers, and students based on the concepts of retributive orientation, restorative education, and action-reaction in response to changes in the times and educational perspectives. Methods: After examining the changes in teacher-student relationships and educational perspectives in Korean education, the authors analyzed the aspects of retributive orientation and restorative education based on various educational discussions and the French film <Les Choristes>. Results: Retributive orientation based on action-reaction attempts to suppress students' problematic behaviors through coercive discipline, but this leads to emotional reactions and relational conflicts in students and fails to solve the fundamental problems. In contrast, restorative education aims to restore relationships and form a community rather than punish, and promotes students' voluntary responsibility and mutual respect. Conclusion: It is necessary to create an ideal relationship between the principal, teacher and student that leads students to take responsibility for their actions and take the initiative to repair the damage based on trust and empathy through restorative education methods, or to actively participate in activities that uncover students' potential and restore relationships, thus forming emotional growth and a peaceful school community.