TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) stood firmly in defense of teachers' professional autonomy and freedom of speech on Friday (March 28), responding to a controversy involving a Taipei First Girls' High School (北一女) teacher who gave an interview to Chinese state media. The incident has sparked debate about the boundaries of educational neutrality and free expression.
Alice Ou (區桂芝), who teaches Chinese literature, drew public criticism after appearing on China Central Television (CCTV) where she challenged President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) characterization of China as a "hostile foreign force." Mayor Chiang addressed the controversy before a local event, asserting, "Teacher Ou does not violate educational neutrality. We respect teacher autonomy, and we firmly defend freedom of speech."
The interview prompted complaints to the Taipei City Department of Education (北市教育局), triggering an official investigation. Ou confirmed on Wednesday that she had been interviewed by Principal Chen Chih-yuan (陳智源) regarding the incident, as part of the school's review process.
Education Commissioner Tang Chih-min (湯志民) offered clarification on Thursday, noting that the complaint had been forwarded by the Ministry of Education's (教育部) K-12 Education Administration (國教署). Tang emphasized that the school investigation found no evidence that Ou had violated educational neutrality principles in her classroom teaching.