Education Budget Committee Removes Group Representatives, Ministry Cites Fiscal Law

The National Teachers' Association questioned today why the "Executive Yuan Education Budget Benchmark Committee" is no longer renewing the appointments of group representatives, arguing it undermines democratic participation. The Ministry of Education responded that due to the impact of the "Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures," the committee requires the assistance of finance, accounting, and auditing experts, and that there are no statutory seats for group representatives. Hou Chun-liang, chairman of the National Teachers' Association, stated at a press conference that the committee had included representatives from teacher organizations, parent groups, and principal associations for the past 20 years, but the failure to renew them for the 115th fiscal year is an attempt to evade professional oversight of education budgets. Legislator Tsai Chun-chu, who attended the press conference, stated that the committee's decisions involve classroom resources, rural teaching staff, special education support, and school administration, and that voices from the field should not be silenced. The Ministry of Education explained that the committee's regulations state that members serve a one-year term. Excluding agency representatives, the committee consists of 6 to 7 scholars and experts, and 2 to 5 representatives from local governments. Appointments are based on the focus and professional needs of each year, and there is no statutory seat for group representatives.