Ministry of Education to Draft Guidelines on Teacher Occupational Safety, Uphold Reasonable Disciplinary Authority

(Central News Agency, Reporter: Xu Zhi-wei, Taipei, June 29) To reduce teachers' sense of insecurity and stress, the Ministry of Education announced today that it will propose four improvement measures, including drafting occupational safety guidelines for teachers, upholding teachers' reasonable disciplinary authority, increasing legal consultation resources, and strengthening family education.

The Legislative Yuan's Education and Culture Committee had scheduled a review of the relevant regulations for school affairs meetings today, but due to the Democratic Progressive Party caucus not signing the "Agreement of Non-Reconsideration," substantive review did not proceed.

Lin Bo-chiao, Director-General of the Ministry of Education, stated in a media interview that new teacher laws and the "Regulations Governing Dismissal, Non-Reappointment, Suspension, or Retrenchment of Teachers in Senior Secondary and Below Schools" were revised starting in 108 (2019) to address the higher number of child abuse cases and campus conflicts at the time, with the aim of protecting students' right to education.

Given the significant number of related cases reported on campuses in recent years, Lin Bo-chiao mentioned that the revision of the dismissal regulations was completed again on January 12 this year. For example, positive parent-teacher communication was increased, with mediation between teachers, students, and parents preceding the initiation of an appeal investigation. Cases were also streamlined; if a case was assessed as not severe enough to warrant dismissal, suspension, or non-reappointment, it would be handled according to the performance appraisal regulations.

Lin Bo-chiao cited an example: from the amendment in January of this year to the end of May, the number of cases and appeals indeed decreased, from 448 cases in the same period last year to 202 cases. The proportion of cases entering school affairs meeting investigations dropped from over 80% to 22%, with another 33% not accepted and 45% transferred to performance appraisal for handling.

To reduce teachers' sense of insecurity and stress, Lin Bo-chiao explained that the Ministry of Education has proposed improvement measures. In conjunction with the implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act regulations in July, the Ministry of Education will also draft occupational safety guidelines for teachers. The aim is to uphold teachers' reasonable disciplinary authority by reviewing counseling and disciplinary regulations and drafting differentiated approaches for different educational systems. Simultaneously, legal consultation resources will be gradually increased, and family education will be strengthened to enhance parent-teacher communication. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150629

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