TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Education (MOE) explained on Tuesday (Nov. 21) that school teacher bonuses are not within the scope of salary raises.
The comment was in response to the National Federation of Teachers Unions (NFTU) calling for improving the benefits of elementary and secondary school teachers.
MOE said that the bonuses for homeroom teachers had already reached NT＄3,000 before 2017. The hourly wage for substitute teachers has increased, while the special education teachers' bonuses still need the Executive Yuan's approval.
NFTU held a press conference on the same day, suggesting improved conditions for kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school teachers.
The federation pointed out that despite the numerous benefits recently released by the government for education, they were focused mainly on universities, neglecting the needs of kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school teachers.
Of the total 300,000 teachers in Taiwan, 250,000 are at elementary and secondary schools; their large remuneration gap, unadjusted overall salaries, and lack of increase in special education teacher bonuses all need consideration, NFTU said.
Hou Chun-liang, the chairman of the NFTU, stated that the bonuses for homeroom teachers and special education teachers have yet to be adjusted for 10 and 31 years, respectively. He stressed the urgency of addressing this issue.
NFTU publicity director Luo Te-shui urged: "Anything conducive to the development and progress of education need not wait until the elections."