Teachers' Association Concerned Over Proposed Amendments to Child Protection Act

According to the Central News Agency, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has announced a draft amendment to the 'Child and Youth Rights Protection Act.' The National Teachers' Association stated today that the draft expands the risk of penalties for educational personnel and infinitely extends school responsibilities, while failing to address parental accountability. The association highlighted that Article 72 includes 'physical violence, mental violence, and inappropriate treatment' as prohibited acts, and Article 146 allows for fines between 6,000 and 60,000 NTD even for 'non-serious' cases. The association fears that in the current climate of frequent lawsuits, vague legal definitions could lead to necessary disciplinary actions being misconstrued as 'mental violence.' They are calling on the Ministry to revise the draft to clearly define these terms and include mandatory parental cooperation.